SRINAGAR, Oct. 6
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday reviewed preparations for the third edition of the Kashmir Marathon, calling for stronger national and international outreach as the administration looks to develop the event into a major fixture on the global running calendar.
The marathon is scheduled for October 25 and has already received more than 1,400 registrations from Jammu and Kashmir, other parts of India and overseas.
Chairing a high-level meeting, Abdullah directed the Tourism Department and other agencies to step up publicity for the event and involve prominent runners and fitness influencers to expand its reach.
He suggested inviting well-known runners and fitness influencers to Kashmir ahead of the marathon to generate interest and increase its visibility among running communities in India and abroad.
The Chief Minister also asked officials to use the event’s substantial prize money to attract competitive runners from outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The 2026 Kashmir Marathon carries total prize money of ₹3.17 crore, comprising ₹2.11 crore for the Full Marathon and ₹1.06 crore for the Half Marathon.
A separate J&K Local Category has been introduced with an additional ₹25 lakh in prize money to encourage and recognise runners from the Union Territory.
Abdullah also proposed adding an untimed 5K Fun Run, allowing families, young people and amateur runners who may not want to compete in the Full or Half Marathon to participate.
For future editions, he suggested introducing virtual participation, which would allow runners elsewhere in India and abroad to take part remotely.
The Chief Minister placed particular emphasis on race management and asked officials to ensure that the Full and Half Marathon courses meet international standards.
He directed agencies to install kilometre-wise markers along the routes and 100-metre markers during the final kilometre, providing runners with clear information as they approach the finish.
The Kashmir Marathon is listed on the international calendar of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, or AIMS.
A three-day Marathon Expo will be held at the Sports Council Ground in Poloview from October 22 to 24, ahead of the main race.
Besides bib distribution and fitness-related activities, the expo will showcase Jammu and Kashmir’s handicrafts, handlooms, horticultural products and cultural heritage, linking the sporting event with the region’s tourism and local economy.
Abdullah directed departments and agencies to coordinate closely on traffic management, route safety, medical facilities, public conveniences, electricity, water supply and other logistical requirements.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and senior officials from the Tourism, Public Works, Power Development, Information and other departments, besides representatives of the police, Srinagar Municipal Corporation and J&K Bank.
Online registration for the marathon remains open.
With less than three weeks until race day, the administration’s immediate focus is on completing logistical arrangements while expanding outreach to attract more competitive and recreational runners.
The combination of an international-standard race, substantial prize money and a dedicated local category is also intended to give J&K runners greater exposure while positioning the event as part of Kashmir’s wider tourism calendar.
