Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Oct 25 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Sunday said the Kashmir Marathon would continue to maintain high professional standards and grow into a major international sporting event, attracting runners from across the country and around the world.
Addressing during the prize distribution ceremony of the third edition of the Kashmir Marathon 2026, as per news agency JKNS, Dulloo said the event had grown steadily since its inception and had now become an integral part of the Tourism Department’s annual calendar.
He said the marathon began in 2016 with an idea and the support of individuals who helped develop the concept and organise the event. He acknowledged the contribution of the people involved in developing the route and laying the foundation for the marathon.
CS Dulloo said, the Tourism Department stepped in to support the initiative, helping organise a successful edition in 2024, after which the event continued to expand year after year.
“The professional standards of this marathon have not been compromised and shall not be compromised,” he said, underlining that the event would continue to maintain its standards as its popularity and participation grow.
The Chief Secretary said the scenic beauty along the marathon route remained one of its biggest attractions, offering runners an opportunity to experience Kashmir’s natural landscape while participating in an international sporting event.
He expressed confidence that the marathon would become significantly bigger and more popular in the coming years, attracting an increasing number of participants from across the globe.
Recalling the initial apprehensions about organising such a major marathon in Srinagar at that time of the year, Dulloo said experience had demonstrated that the event could be conducted successfully and improved further in subsequent editions.
He congratulated the organising committee and appreciated the efforts of the Tourism Department and other stakeholder agencies for ensuring the successful conduct of the event.
Dulloo also welcomed runners who had travelled from different countries and states to participate in the marathon, expressing gratitude to all those involved in making the third edition a success. (JKNS)
