Kashmir Marathon held in Srinagar

The third edition of the Kashmir Marathon was held in Srinagar, featuring both a 42.19-kilometer full marathon and a 21.09-kilometer half marathon. Organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, the event aimed to promote the region as a global destination for sports and adventure tourism.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah flagged off the race, which saw participation from 1,807 total registrants, including 73 international athletes representing 12 countries. Kenyan athletes dominated the full marathon titles; Emmanuel Sikuku Ndiwa won the men’s category with a time of 2:15:25, and Sheila Jepkosgei Chesang won the women’s category in 2:38:21.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the award ceremony, where 68 medals were distributed. During the ceremony, he emphasized the importance of nurturing local talent and noted that the marathon serves as a platform to promote Kashmir’s tourism and sporting potential. To support local participants, a separate prize category was introduced for residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

The routes passed through scenic locations such as Lal Chowk, Dal Lake, and historic Mughal gardens like Nishat. Alongside the race, a Marathon Expo was held to showcase local handicrafts, handloom, and agricultural products to international and domestic visitors.