Kashmir Marathon Attracts 67 Foreign Runners From 12 Countries Ahead of October 25 Event

The third edition of the Kashmir Marathon has attracted 67 foreign nationals from 12 countries, with preparations underway for the sporting event scheduled to be held on October 25, an official spokesman said on Saturday.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg chaired a meeting to review the arrangements for the marathon, assessing the preparations being undertaken by the nodal Tourism Department and other stakeholder departments.

The event will feature both a full marathon covering 42.19 km and a half marathon spanning 21.09 km, scheduled to take place on the same morning. A three-day Marathon Expo will also be organised at Polo Ground in Srinagar, the spokesman said.

To ensure the safety and well-being of participants, 17 aid stations will be established along the marathon route to provide necessary assistance. Garg directed all concerned departments to nominate nodal officers to strengthen interdepartmental coordination and ensure timely completion of their responsibilities.

Emphasising the need to enhance the route's visual appeal, he called for beautification through the placement of potted flowers. He also directed the Roads and Buildings Department to inspect the route and ensure that all potholes are filled to provide a smooth and safe running surface. Authorities were further instructed to prune trees along the marathon loop.

Garg stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness around Dal Lake to preserve Srinagar's scenic beauty. He also directed officials to deploy volunteers at appropriate locations and establish medical camps with adequate staff to respond to health-related emergencies during the event.

The Traffic Police was asked to publicise designated parking locations well in advance to facilitate participants and ensure smooth vehicular movement on marathon day.

Garg emphasised that close coordination among all stakeholder departments and timely execution of preparatory measures would be crucial to the successful organisation of the third edition of the Kashmir Marathon, the spokesman added.