Srinagar, Oct 6 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday reviewed preparations for the third edition of the Kashmir Marathon and directed officials to step up national and international promotion of the event, while calling for wider participation of local residents through a new untimed 5K Fun Run.
As per news agency JKNS, Chairing a high-level meeting on arrangements for the October 25 marathon, the Chief Minister directed the Tourism Department and other concerned agencies to intensify publicity, including through leading running and fitness influencers.
Omar Abdullah called for inviting prominent runners and fitness influencers to Kashmir ahead of the event to generate greater interest and enhance the marathon’s visibility.
He also stressed leveraging the event’s substantial prize purse to attract competitive runners from across the country and abroad.
The Kashmir Marathon 2026 carries a total prize purse of ₹3.17 crore, including ₹2.11 crore for the Full Marathon and ₹1.06 crore for the Half Marathon. A dedicated J&K Local Category, with an additional prize component of ₹25 lakh, has also been introduced to encourage and recognise local talent.
To expand participation beyond competitive runners, the Chief Minister called for introducing an untimed 5K Fun Run, providing families, youngsters and amateur runners an opportunity to participate in the event.
He also proposed virtual participation in the next edition of the Kashmir Marathon to enable runners from across India and abroad to join the event remotely.
Reviewing race arrangements, Omar Abdullah directed concerned agencies to ensure international-standard route management and clear distance markings along the Full and Half Marathon courses. He called for kilometre-wise markers throughout the routes and 100-metre markers during the final kilometre.
The third edition of the Kashmir Marathon, scheduled for October 25, has already received more than 1,400 registrations from Jammu and Kashmir, different parts of the country and international destinations. The event is recognised on the international calendar of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).
A three-day Marathon Expo will precede the race from October 22 to 24 at the Sports Council Ground, Poloview. The expo will include bib distribution and fitness-related activities besides showcasing J&K’s handicrafts, handlooms, horticulture and cultural heritage.
The Chief Minister directed all concerned departments and agencies to ensure close coordination for traffic management, route safety, medical support, public conveniences, power, water supply and other logistical requirements.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary PDD Ashwini Kumar, ACS to CM Dheeraj Gupta, ACS PWD Anil Kumar Singh, ACS Tourism Ashish Chandra Verma, Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, IGP Kashmir, Director Information, Commissioner SMC, Managing Director and CEO J&K Bank, Director Tourism Kashmir and other senior officers.
Online registration for Kashmir Marathon 2026 is open through the official marathon portal. (JKNS)
