Srinagar, Oct 25: Over 2000 runners including 73 from foreign countries participated in the third edition of the Kashmir Marathon here on Sunday, in an event billed as the biggest athletics meet in Jammu and Kashmir.

Amid the October chill of a crisp autumn morning, the Chief Minister flagged off the Full Marathon (42.195 km) at 6:30 am, followed by the Half Marathon (21 km) at 7:45 am.
The marathon run took participants through some of Srinagar’s most iconic landmarks, including Lal Chowk, Polo View, Zero Bridge, Gupkar Road, Boulevard, the Jhelum riverfront, Dal Lake, SKICC, Foreshore Road, Kashmir University and the Mughal Gardens.
The CM emphasized that the Kashmir Marathon is emerging as a flagship sporting event, strengthening Jammu & Kashmir’s position as a global sports tourism destination, boosting tourism and inspiring a culture of fitness and healthy living across the region.
With runners traversing the city’s historic streets, picturesque waterfronts and celebrated gardens, the marathon offers a unique blend of competitive sport, cultural vibrancy and the Valley’s breathtaking landscape, further strengthening Kashmir’s profile as a destination for major sporting events.
The event attracted registrations from across geographical boundaries, reflecting its growing appeal among professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts and long-distance runners. The marathon recorded 1,807 online registrations, including 1,221 participants from Jammu and Kashmir, 513 from other states and 73 international runners representing 12 countries. With spot registrations, total participation crossed the 2,000 mark.
The third edition carries a total prize purse of ₹3.17 crore, with the winner in the open category set to receive ₹25 lakh.
Kenyan runners Kanab Kalob Omolo and Lemensa Harpaa clinched the men’s and women’s full marathon titles, respectively.
Kenya’s Emmanuel Sikuku Ndiwa won the men’s full marathon in 2 hours, 15 minutes and 25 seconds, while compatriot Sheila Jepkosgei Chesang won the women’s race in 2 hours, 38 minutes and 21 seconds, according to the organisers.
The Kulsum from Gujrat, who ran while carrying a child in her arms, who emerged as one of the event’s most striking highlights.
Another participant who drew attention was Shivam Kumar from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a specially-abled runner without both arms.
Their participation added an inspiring dimension to the sporting spectacle, which brought together runners from Jammu and Kashmir, other parts of the country and abroad to celebrate endurance, fitness and sporting spirit.
In the men’s half marathon, Leme Teshong Lemantso claimed the first position, followed by Barko Bayasa Bakale in second and Sambol Eric Kanguso in third.
In the women’s half marathon, Ankita finished first, Saha Deslin Adana secured second place and Helen Motino Megonor finished third.
J&K local winners
In the men’s full marathon local category, Kulbir Singh secured first place, followed by Waseem Ahmad Dar in second and Raghav Sharma in third.
In the women’s local full marathon category, Neha Dewi claimed the top spot, followed by Diksha in second and Salma Bedi in third.
In the men’s local half marathon, Mohammad Yaseen Mir finished first, Rajit Sharma second and Parveen Kumar third.
In the women’s local half marathon, Keriti Dewi secured first place, followed by Sakshi Thakur in second and Shamshad Bano in third.
Director Tourism Syed Qamar Sajad said the growing enthusiasm among participants was reflected in the increasing numbers.
“Obviously, day by day, people’s inclination and interest in this marathon and running is increasing. That’s actually the target of the Tourism Department and Government of Jammu and Kashmir, which we want,” he said.
Sajad expressed hope that participants would become ambassadors of Jammu and Kashmir tourism.