Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty on Sunday flagged off the Kashmir Marathon 2.0 – 2025 in Srinagar, marking one of the Valley’s largest sporting events aimed at promoting tourism, peace, and fitness.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday flagged off the second edition of the Kashmir Marathon 2025 in Srinagar, marking one of the Valley’s largest sporting events aimed at promoting tourism, peace, and fitness.
The marathon began at 6 a.m. from Polo View and followed a scenic route along Boulevard Road overlooking Dal Lake and towards the Zabarwan Range. Organised by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council, the event featured a 42 km full marathon, a 21 km half marathon, and shorter runs for local and amateur participants.
Participants came from 27 states and 11 countries, including Germany, Denmark, the USA, Ethiopia, Kenya, Japan, and Sri Lanka. The event featured two main categories the 42 km Full Marathon and the 21 km Half Marathon with a total prize pool of Rs 25 lakh.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who ran in the half marathon, shared his experience on social media: “Completed the Kashmir Half Marathon. I didn’t set a personal best but I did improve on last year’s effort. Congratulations to all the runners who completed the full and half marathon.”
Tourism officials said the marathon was designed to promote fitness and tourism, while sending a strong message of peace and resilience after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which had impacted the sector. Tourism Minister Satish Sharma said that the event reflects the collective spirit of the people and spreads a message of peace, love, and brotherhood.
The marathon route came alive with locals cheering runners from rooftops, pavements, and tea stalls. Volunteers distributed water bottles, while traditional Kashmiri samawars served tea to participants and spectators.
Participants shared their enthusiasm for the event. A German runner said, “The route is like running through a postcard. Lake, hills, silence, and applause — it’s magical.” A first-time full marathon runner from Bengaluru added, “It’s peaceful, beautiful, and feels like running in heaven.” Local runner Tariq Ahmad said, “Running with athletes from other countries makes us feel part of the world again. It’s not just about sports, it’s about pride.”
Director Tourism Kashmir Raja Yaqoob called it the biggest sporting event after the Pahalgam attack and emphasized that terrorism cannot weaken the spirit of Jammu and Kashmir. “The aim is to boost national and international tourism,” he said.
