Srinagar — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday flagged off the third edition of the Kashmir Marathon in Srinagar, with more than 1,800 athletes from across the country and abroad taking part, officials said, according to PTI.

Source: PTI via Jammu News Portal

The race, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, was flagged off at 6:30 a.m. and featured a 42-kilometre full marathon and a 21-kilometre half marathon, Daily Kiran reported from Srinagar. The routes pass through prominent Srinagar locations, including stretches along Dal Lake, Boulevard Road and Nishat Garden, PTI said.

Source: Daily Kiran (Srinagar, Oct 25)

1,800+ runnersAthletes taking part in the third Kashmir Marathon, officials said (PTI)
Rs 3.17 croreTotal prize money this year (yaani about Rs 3.17 crore)
Rs 25 lakhPrize for the winner in the open full-marathon category
42 km / 21 kmFull marathon and half marathon distances

A separate prize category for runners from Jammu and Kashmir has been introduced this year to encourage local participation and promote long-distance running in the Union Territory, officials said. Abdullah, who participated in the first two editions of the event, flagged off the race this year but is not running, PTI reported.

Source: PTI via Jammu News Portal

International participants praised the region's hospitality and arrangements, and a special award ceremony was planned with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expected to attend, Daily Kiran reported. Organisers said the event aims to become an annual fixture on the sporting calendar and to showcase Kashmir as a destination for sports tourism, PTI said.

Source: Daily Kiran (Srinagar, Oct 25)

Sources: PTI report on the October 25 flag-off via Jammu News Portal; Daily Kiran, Srinagar, October 25, 2026; IANS event details via The Freedom Press.

Source: PTI via Jammu News Portal