Srinagar, October 25,2026- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday flagged off the third edition of the Kashmir Marathon from Polo Ground, Srinagar. More than 2,000 runners from Jammu and Kashmir, other parts of the country and abroad gathered for a celebration of endurance, sporting spirit and the Valley’s natural beauty.
Under the crisp chill of an autumn morning, the Chief Minister flagged off the Full Marathon (42.195 km) at 6:30 am. The Half Marathon (21 km) followed at 7:45 am.
A Route Through Srinagar’s Landmarks
The course takes runners through some of the city’s most recognisable places. These include Lal Chowk, Polo View, Zero Bridge, Gupkar Road, the Boulevard, the Jhelum riverfront, Dal Lake, SKICC, Foreshore Road, Kashmir University and the Mughal Gardens.
Participants ran past historic streets, scenic waterfronts and celebrated gardens. The marathon therefore offers a blend of competitive sport, cultural vibrancy and mountain scenery.
“A Flagship Sporting Event”
The Chief Minister said the Kashmir Marathon is emerging as a flagship sporting event for the region. According to him, it strengthens Jammu and Kashmir’s position as a global sports tourism destination. He added that the event boosts tourism and inspires a culture of fitness and healthy living.
Registrations From Across Borders
The marathon drew entries from well beyond the Valley, reflecting its growing appeal among professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts and long-distance runners. In total, it recorded 1,807 online registrations:
- 1,221 participants from Jammu and Kashmir
- 513 from other states
- 73 international runners representing 12 countries
With spot registrations added, total participation crossed the 2,000 mark.
₹3.17 Crore Prize Purse
The third edition carries a total prize purse of ₹3.17 crore. The winner in the open category will receive ₹25 lakh.
A separate prize category has also been introduced for runners from Jammu and Kashmir. This step is meant to nurture home-grown talent, widen participation and create more opportunities for local athletes to compete on a larger platform.
Marathon Expo and Dignitaries
Before the race, the Chief Minister had inaugurated the three-day Marathon Expo at Polo View on October 22.
Several senior officials attended the flag-off. They included Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg. Secretary Tourism Avny Lavasa and Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajjad were also present, along with other officers and officials.
Sport and Tourism Together
The third edition shows how sport and tourism can work together. Runners, supporters and visitors need hotels, transport and local services, so large events of this kind can support the regional economy. At the same time, images of runners passing Dal Lake and the Mughal Gardens carry Kashmir’s story to audiences across the country and the world.
The new category for local runners adds another dimension. By rewarding athletes from J&K, organisers hope to build a pipeline of talent that can compete at the highest level.
