Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The third edition of the Kashmir Marathon will be held on October 25, with 1,807 runners registered, including 73 foreigners, 513 participants from outside Jammu and Kashmir and 1,221 locals.
According to the registration details, 1,416 runners will take part in the 21-km half marathon, while 391 will compete in the 42-km full marathon. The participants include 1,614 men and 193 women.
Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajjad said the marathon would become an annual event and a recognised brand for Kashmir. A separate prize category has also been introduced for Jammu and Kashmir domiciles to encourage local talent, giving runners from the Union Territory a dedicated chance to compete for recognition.
He said travel advisories issued by some European countries and the United States, along with the prevailing situation in the Middle East, had affected foreign participation. The 73 foreign runners who have registered are therefore a smaller group than the organisers may have hoped for, though the overall number of participants shows considerable interest from within the country and from local runners.
Preparations are being coordinated by an inter-departmental committee under the supervision of the Divisional Commissioner, with the police, security forces and other agencies working together to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
The marathon is part of the Tourism Department’s effort to promote Kashmir as a destination for sports tourism. Events of this kind bring together athletes, fitness enthusiasts and visitors, and they can help present the Valley’s landscapes and hospitality to a wider audience. For the hotel, transport and hospitality sectors, a race that draws participants from other states and countries also means additional footfall.
The numbers show that local participation forms the bulk of the field, with locals accounting for well over half of the registered runners. The gap between the half marathon and the full marathon entries is also notable, as the shorter distance has drawn more than three times as many participants, which is typical of such events where many runners prefer the 21-km category. The gender split shows that women make up a smaller share of the field, an area that organisers and sports bodies often seek to improve through outreach in subsequent editions.
The event has also drawn attention because the examination for the Jammu and Kashmir State Eligibility Test is scheduled for the same day, with aspirants urging that the marathon be deferred. Authorities are yet to respond to that demand, and the coordination committee will be watching arrangements closely as the date approaches.
