Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took centre stage on Sunday, leading the way in the Kashmir Marathon, the valley’s first international athletic event, by running 21 kilometres (half marathon) alongside nearly 2,000 athletes from across the country and abroad.
Flanked by Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty at the flag-off ceremony, the 54-year-old Abdullah commended the organisers and stakeholders for hosting what he described as a “remarkable event”.
The marathon saw participation from elite long-distance runners, including Indian and Asian gold medallists, as well as top athletes from Europe and Africa.
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A fitness enthusiast, Abdullah expressed optimism about the marathon’s future, hoping it would become a key event in the global athletic calendar.
“I am thankful to the people of Srinagar for the way they came out to encourage the runners. I hope that the Kashmir Marathon becomes one of the top events in the world,” he said. “I did not know I would be able to run 21 kilometres as the longest I have run earlier has been 12 or 13 kilometres. But I think running with other athletes pushed me to complete the run,” he added.
The event was organised by the Department of Tourism to showcase the “improved” situation in the valley and promote Kashmir as a tourist-friendly destination.
Tourism Director Raja Yaqoob highlighted the marathon’s significance, stating that it conveyed a message of peace and extended an invitation to visitors worldwide. Shetty praised the event, noting the strong turnout and calling Kashmir a “paradise for marathon enthusiasts”.