Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah joined 2,000 athletes and runners from throughout the nation and overseas to take part within the first main worldwide marathon occasion in Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah takes half within the Kashmir Marathon 2024, in Srinagar, on Sunday. (PTI)
Omar, 54, accomplished his first half-marathon, which he himself flagged off from Polo-view in Srinagar within the wee hours, operating over 21-km to achieve Kashmir College by way of the picturesque Boluevard Street on the Dal Lake in simply over two hours and 4 minutes setting a stricter well being commonplace for CMs of the states and UTs of the nation.
“I didn’t expect that I would be able to finish my half marathon. Never in my life had I run more than 12 or 13 km but running alongside other participants encouraged me to complete it,” Omar informed reporters.
“Today I just kept going, propelled by the enthusiasm of other amateur runners like me. No proper training, no running plan, no nutrition. I picked up a banana & a couple of khajoor along the way. The best part was running past my home with family & others out to cheer me on,” he later wrote on ‘X’ whereas giving his pace as 5 min 54 sec per km.
Organised by the J&Okay tourism division to showcase the enhancing scenario within the Valley and promote Kashmir as a chief vacation spot for worldwide occasions, the marathon featured high long-distance runners from India, together with Asian gold medallists, in addition to elite athletes from 13 international locations, together with Europe and Africa.
Omar expressed hope that the Kashmir marathon would develop into an annual occasion and earn recognition globally.
“I hope that the Kashmir Marathon will be organised every year and gain recognition, like the well-known marathons around the world,” he mentioned.
Whereas commenting on the massive participation notably of locals, the CM additionally mentioned that they need to divert the youth from medication in direction of sports activities. “For running you don’t need infrastructure, just shoes and roads. Attempts will be made to improve the situation further,” he mentioned.
The occasion included two race classes: a 42-km full marathon and a 21-km half-marathon.
Together with Omar, the occasion was additionally flagged off by Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty.
“The enthusiasm is amazing in runners and even among children. It is a big thing. You know this is a run through paradise. It feels great that the participants have come from across the globe,” Shetty mentioned.
“I wish Kashmir becomes a destination and people come all through the year and run,” he mentioned.
The athletes handed by way of mesmerising panorama together with the Dal Lake and the Zabarwan mountain vary, crossing websites such because the Shankaracharya Temple, Pari Mahal, and Dargah Hazratbal shrine apart from the Mughal Gardens.
“The route was good, and very good vibes with the sunrise and everything,” mentioned Karen, an athlete from Denmark.
The occasion concluded with the awards which have been handed over by J&Okay lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha.
“With this marathon, the experience on the roads of Srinagar today, I believe, all praise will fall short,” Sinha mentioned.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the development in infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. “The way PM Modi in the past 4-5 years has improved infrastructure in J&K and has taken forward the peace effort, that is a major reason that today this marathon was possible in Srinagar,” he mentioned.