Srinagar is all set to host the richest marathon for foreign and domestic athletes this Sunday.
More than 6,000 runners including 59 foreigners will participate in “Kashmir Marathon” which will be held in two categories: a full marathon covering 42 KM and a half marathon of 21 KM, with a combined prize pool of Rs 3 crore.
Director of Tourism Kashmir, Raja Yaqoob said that the best of the athletes from across the world would participate in Sunday’s event.
“We have the top Indian runners, elite runners, Asian gold medalist runners here. Along with them, we have some of the best runners from Europe and some of the best runners from Africa,” Yaqoob told reporters on Saturday.
He said they have a good representation of athletes from Kashmir also.
Dr. Sunita Godara, the 1992 Asian gold medalist, and elite coordinator for Indians, said the Kashmir Marathon has the highest prize money for participants.
“This is the history of the highest ever prize money of India till date. I have been running since 1988. For the first time for Indians, the “Kashmir Marathon” has held the highest prize money marathon in Srinagar,” she said.
Sunita said that 45 elite athletes from the country will participate in this full marathon and half marathon.
She said the prominent athletes participating in the marathon include T Gopi, who became the first Indian to win the Asian Marathon men’s title in 2017; Man Singh, who is the current Asian gold medalist of 2024; Ankit Deswal, Lafreet Singh, Poonam, Prajakta Godbole, Jyoti Gavte and Ashwini.
Director Tourism, Kashmir said through the event they want to showcase to the world that the Kashmir situation has improved.
“..If somebody is running 42 KM, it makes a statement that Kashmir is now peaceful,” he said. “We want to show the world our heritage, our cuisine, handicrafts, pashmina, sozni, papier-mache. They (athletes) will be our brand ambassadors in their respective countries and states.”
He said that he was sure that in the next 5-10 years, Kashmir would also be having big marathon runners from here, who will participate internationally.
A foreign athlete from Denmark said that Kashmir is a beautiful surrounding.
“I am already in love with this part of India. And I think that it is a good way of promoting fitness and general health in India and all over the world,” the athlete said.
The marathon would be flagged off by J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at 6.15 AM on Sunday from Polo View Srinagar.
