Srinagar, October 20: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Sunday, flagged off a mega international marathon in Srinagar city. Omar Abdullah and Bollywood star, Suniel Shetty together flagged off the first-ever international marathon run from Polo View Street around 6.20 a.m. The Chief Minister displaying his physical fitness also ran with the athletes for some time as his security personnel ran alongside him during the run.
Officials said that for the first time, Kashmir is hosting a mega International Marathon with the participation of 2,000 athletes, including 59 foreign international athletes. The athletes will run a 42 km full marathon and a 21 km half marathon. Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah Says Want To See Smiles Back on Faces of People in Both Divisions of Union Territory.
Addressing a media conference, the director of tourism (Kashmir), Raja Yaqoob Farooq said on Saturday that for the first time, there are over 2,000 registrations for the Marathon. “Representations are from 29 UTs and 13 foreign countries. There are 59 foreign international athletes participating in the Half and Full marathons.”
“There are 30 to 35 participants from Kashmir as well. This marathon will send a message across the globe that Kashmir is peaceful. All these athletes will send a message across the world that Kashmir is fit to host international events. We will showcase our cuisine, paper machie, Pashmina and other things. All these athletes will be our brand ambassadors,” the director said.
In addition to participation in the marathon, the athletes will be hosted for local cuisine. They will also visit the world-famous Gulmarg ski resort and enjoy a ride on the cable car there. Alongside their participation in the marathon, athletes have been enjoying the beauty of Kashmir, its pristine lakes, alpine forests and the amazing autumn season which is known as the king of four seasons in Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir Govt Portfolio Allocation: CM Omar Abdullah Assigns Ministerial Portfolios, Deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary to Head Public Works and 4 Other Departments; Check Full List.
Marathon Flagged Off by Omar Abdullah and Suniel Shetty
Was part of the Kashmir Marathon organized by @JandKTourism . A historic moment as Kashmir’s first-ever marathon was inaugurated by Hon. Chief Minister @OmarAbdullah and Bollywood star @SunielVShetty . Proud to witness this milestone for the Valley!
Hon’ble Minister Satish… pic.twitter.com/WanCPuqvIx
— Tanvir Sadiq (@tanvirsadiq) October 20, 2024
People in Large Numbers Participated in the International Kashmir Marathon
#WATCH | J&K | People in large numbers participated in the International Kashmir Marathon held in Srinagar. pic.twitter.com/zhX44d50M5
— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2024
‘Blessed that I Was Part of This’
VIDEO | “I feel blessed that I was part of this. Trust me, this will be the most participated marathon in the world in the coming years. It was an overcrowded event. Many people were inside the stadium, and outside as well, and that’s a huge thing,” says actor Suniel Shetty on… pic.twitter.com/Zhw3wFROIL
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 20, 2024
Kashmir hosted the G 20 meeting in May and also a sports car racing event. Those international events have helped attract an exceptionally large number of tourists after the idea of a peaceful, safe Valley started sinking in among the tourists and tour and travel operators.
(The above story first appeared on Today News 24 on Oct 20, 2024 08:57 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website todaynews24.top).