Jammu: Braving incessant rain, thousands of enthusiastic runners took part in Jammu’s first-ever international marathon, flagged off by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also joined the participants, here on Sunday.
The marathon started at sunrise from the M A Stadium, featuring three race categories, including Half Marathon (21 km), 10 km Fitness Run, and 5 km Fun Run. A total prize pool of Rs 1.33 Crore will be distributed among the winners.
The event blended fitness with entertainment and celebrity participation. Fitness icon Milind Soman and his wife Ankita Konwar joined Abdullah in the 21-km run, while actress Gul Panag attended the flag-off ceremony. Musical performances by Kamal Khan and Prateek Narula added to the festive atmosphere.
The inaugural edition witnessed participation of more than 4,000 runners, including over 1,000 from outside Jammu and Kashmir and over 90 international athletes. Legislators, MLAs and senior administrative officers were also seen actively participating in the event.
The chief minister’s sons, Zahir and Zamir, were also seen participating in the marathon.
“The enthusiasm remains high even in this rainy weather. Brotherhood, love, harmony, diversity, and the fight against drugs will continue…We are people who fight storms, who stand against the waves—we are Dogra warriors,” Sports Minister Satish Sharma said.
“This will be a message to Pakistan that while they are a factory of terrorism, we are a factory of tourism and sports,” he added.
He said two major stadiums will be developed in Jammu and Kashmir in the coming months, paving the way for hosting Indian Premier League matches next year, which is expected to give a significant boost to the region’s economy.
Describing the occasion as a “historic day” for Jammu, Joint Director Tourism Aijaz Qaiser said, despite the rain, people have come out in huge numbers, which reflects the rising fitness culture in Jammu.
On arrangements, he said extensive preparations are in place to facilitate the runners.
“The road is well-surfaced, so it won’t be slippery. Yes, there is some elevation, around 450–500 metres, but participants were informed in advance. It will be one of the toughest city marathons, and people are mentally prepared to push their limits,” Qaiser said.
Highlighting the tourism impact, he said more than 4,000 participants underline the event’s scale.
“If visitors stay even two days, it gives a significant boost to the local economy. As this becomes an annual event, tourism will grow further,” he said.
He added that the marathon is designed to showcase Jammu’s destinations and culture while attracting international runners. “We are not catering only to locals but to the global running fraternity,” the joint director said.
Participants, including international runners from Kenya, praised the spirit of the event. Franklin, visiting Jammu for the first time, said running in the rain was not unusual and described Jammu as a “cool and better place” with favourable conditions.
Another athlete, Edwin, termed the weather challenging but lauded the smooth arrangements and hospitality
Reflects transformative changes since 2019: LG
Jammu: Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Sunday said the Jammu Marathon symbolises the profound transformation Jammu and Kashmir has embraced since 2019 — the year when the centre revoked special status under Article 370 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.
“Peace, prosperity and enabling conditions have made the UT a destination for world-class events. Its dream realised at last, as after seven decades, J&K claims its rightful place on the global stage,” the LG said at the felicitation ceremony of Jammu Marathon here.
The first-ever International Half Marathon in Jammu, organised by J&K Tourism department, featuring 21 km, 10 km and 5 km race categories, witnessed several thousand runners from across the country and abroad.
Among men, 26-year-old Yeneblo Biyazen Alehegn won the overall half marathon, clocking 1:05:04 hours, narrowly ahead of 19-year-old Gadisa Assefa Ragasa (1:05:05) and 29-year-old Enos Kipruto Saat (1:05:08).
In the women’s category, 30-year-old Croline Jeruto Chesir secured first place with a time of 1:14:50, followed by 22-year-old Selamawit Tena Geda (1:14:53) and 20-year-old Lelise Tegegne Wakweya (1:14:59).
From J&K, Adetya Singh (23) and Neha Devi (34) completed the half-marathon in 1:08:47 and 1:35:47, respectively.
Ezekiel Letaya Tiepus (26) and Emebet Gatawy Beyene (21) clinched the 10-km titles in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, while Sandeep Pal (20) and Gargi (16) won the 5-km race.
Terming the Jammu Marathon as a “historic milestone”, the LG said the success of the mega event promises a surge in tourism to the enchanting city of Jammu, benefiting Trade and Businesses and heralding an era of comprehensive development.
“Since 2019, we have advanced one step at a time, crafting a new identity for this Union Territory. We have transformed it into a hub of peace and prosperity, now capable of hosting international marathons, cricket tournaments, and even international events,” Sinha said.
He further said that when the Centre first conceived the Kashmir Marathon in 2023, the goal was not just to organise a race, but to announce the arrival of a “new” J&K on the global sporting stage.
He observed that, fueled by the citizens’ unyielding resolve, the Jammu Kashmir Union Territory is setting new benchmarks in development.
Fitness tourism push: J&K CM, sons join run
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said the Jammu marathon themed ‘Temples to Trails’ will position the winter capital as a vibrant destination for fitness tourism and cultural exploration.
An avid runner, Abdullah flagged off the Jammu Marathon at Maulana Azad Stadium here and went on to complete the 21 km run in two hours despite inclement weather.
At the finish line, participants jostled to click pictures with the chief minister, who was greeted with loud cheers after completing the race.
“The chief minister flagged off the Jammu Marathon today and also took part in the 21.1 km half-marathon. He encouraged people from all walks of life to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle, underscoring the importance of fitness and overall well-being in daily life,” his office posted on X.
The event, themed “Temples to Trails”, Abdullah said, will position Jammu as a vibrant destination for fitness tourism and cultural exploration, showcasing its rich heritage alongside its scenic landscapes.
Fitness icon Milind Soman, who participated in the half-marathon, described the event as a “wonderful experience” and said he was pleased to see the chief minister take part in the run.
“It is an honour to be here. I completed 21 km on Sunday, and a day before, I had darshan at Vaishno Devi Temple. I covered about 20 km then as well,” Soman told reporters, raising the slogan “Bharat Mata ki Jai”.
Soman said he enjoyed running in the rain and added that the enthusiasm of the people made him happy. “It also felt good to see the chief minister running,” he said.
Actress Gul Panag praised the enthusiasm of both runners and organisers, highlighting the impressive turnout for the inaugural edition. Describing the overwhelming support as a significant achievement, she noted that large numbers of people participated despite the inclement weather, and extended her congratulations to all participants and supporters.
