Srinagar, 28 October (Read). Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today unveiled the official paraphernalia of Kashmir Marathon-2025 at the Royal Springs Golf Course. Specially designed caps, medals and racing kits for the participants of the event were displayed at a brief ceremony which was also attended by media and tourism department officials.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister extended an open invitation to all fitness lovers to test their abilities and participate in the second edition of Kashmir Marathon-2025 to be held on 2 November.

After the inauguration, the Chief Minister said that an encouraging number of registrations have already been received for the event which includes a significant increase in the participation of foreign athletes, especially in the full marathon category.

Highlighting the unique attraction of Kashmir for hosting such sports events, the Chief Minister said that Kashmir is the only place in the country that offers such natural beauty and ideal weather for the marathon. He said that the runners in the half marathon category will cross some of the most iconic sites of Srinagar including Jhelum Riverfront, Lal Chowk, Dalgate and the beautiful Dal Lake shore while the full marathon participants will run further towards Hazratbal and Kashmir University.

The Chief Minister said that the runners will compete in temperatures of 6-8 degrees Celsius which is a rare advantage compared to other marathon venues across the country in hot weather. He expressed confidence that the Kashmir Marathon is fast evolving as a major sporting event and will soon stand at par with famous marathons like the Delhi Marathon which has been organized for more than two decades.

On this occasion, Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Ashish Chandra Verma, Director Tourism Kashmir Raja Yaqoob Farooq, JKTDC MD Shreya Singhal, Secretary Royal Springs Golf Course, Haris Ahmed Handu, Joint Director Tourism Wasim Raja, Additional Secretary Tourism Owais Mushtaq and other senior officials were present.————–

(Read) / Balwan Singh