Actor Sunil Shetty reached Srinagar to participate in Kashmir Marathon.
– Photo: Amar Ujala
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Kashmir is going to host an international marathon for the first time. Tourism Director Kashmir Raja Yaqoob Farooq said more than 2,000 athletes, including top international level runners, will participate in the Kashmir Marathon on Sunday. The objective of this event is to show the world that the law and order situation in the valley has improved.
The director said in a press conference on Saturday, the best athletes from all over the world have arrived here. We have top Indian runners, Asian gold medalists, some of the top runners from Europe and Africa. The Tourism Department has received registrations of 2,030 athletes from across the world. 59 athletes from 13 countries and 29 top athletes from different states and union territories will participate in the marathon.
The race will be held in two categories
The Tourism Director said that a full marathon of 42 kilometers and a half marathon of 21 kilometers is being organised. Rewards worth Rs 3 crore will be distributed. Kashmir is open to all. We welcome tourists from different parts of the world. If someone is running 42 kilometres, that in itself is a message that Kashmir is peaceful now. We also want to showcase our heritage, distinctive products, handicrafts, cuisines to the world, Yakub said. These runners have millions of followers on social media, so they will be our brand ambassadors.
CM Omar will flag off from Polo View Srinagar
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will flag off the event from Polo View Srinagar at 6:15 am on Sunday. This will inspire the youth. Complete marathon runners will emerge from here in the next 5-10 years. There are also 35 participants from Kashmir. Sunita, representing the team of 45 Indian athletes, said, the hospitality of Kashmir is amazing. We have been told that the athletes will be taken on a trip to Gulmarg by the tourism department. An athlete from Denmark said that this was her first experience in Kashmir. I was amazed by the sights of Srinagar, the people and the food are amazing. Running here will be a great experience.