Srinagar, Sep 08 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday chaired a meeting to review preparations for the upcoming Kashmir Marathon-2025, a flagship sporting event aimed at promoting sports, fitness, tourism, and Kashmir’s vibrant culture.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the CM, Nasir Aslam Wani; Additional Chief Secretary to the CM, Dheeraj Gupta; Additional Chief Secretary Tourism; Principal Secretary Finance; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Secretary IT, Information and GAD; and other senior officials.
Director Tourism, Kashmir made a detailed presentation on the preparations and proposed plan of activities for the marathon.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the marathon must go beyond being a sporting event to become a holistic cultural and tourism experience.
He directed officials to tie up with hotels, restaurants, and local businesses to provide special packages for participants and visitors, allowing them to explore Kashmir’s hospitality, cuisine and heritage during their stay.
He also suggested introducing 10 km and 5 km runs for local participants in addition to the full and half marathons, thereby expanding community engagement and encouraging youth participation.
Stressing the importance of sustainability, he called for efforts to secure a title sponsor for the mega event to ensure financial viability and greater brand visibility.
Taking into account the Delhi Marathon and Diwali festivities, Omar Abdullah instructed that the Kashmir Marathon-2025 be scheduled on November 2 (Sunday), 2025, instead of the earlier proposed 19 October date.
Director Tourism Kashmir briefed about the scale and structure of the event. The second edition will feature Full Marathon (42.19 km), Half Marathon (21.09 km), and a 10 km Run, covering iconic locations of Srinagar including Poloview, Rajbagh, Lal Chowk, TRC, Nishat Garden, and SKICC, offering participants the breathtaking autumn backdrops of Kashmir.
The event will be supported by a professional event management agency, responsible for logistics, branding, athlete facilities, and post-event management.
The marathon will also be featuring a Marathon Expo and a Gala Cultural evening, aimed at engaging athletes, tourists, and locals, while showcasing Kashmiri art, culture, and traditions.
Importantly, the event is being aligned with eco-friendly practices. The marathon will encourage youth involvement through school-level activities and fun runs, while NGOs and local volunteers will be engaged as “eco-volunteers” for route clean-ups and sustainability initiatives.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched the promotional video of Kashmir Marathon-2025 and was presented with his participation certificate from last year’s edition, in which he himself successfully completed the half marathon.
Reiterating his government’s commitment, Omar Abdullah said the Kashmir Marathon will be positioned as a world-class sporting spectacle that celebrates the Valley’s scenic beauty, promotes tourism, and fosters a spirit of health, wellness, and community togetherness—(KNO)