SRINAGAR, OCT 25: The Kashmir Marathon is steadily expanding its reach and attracting greater participation from across India and abroad, with 1,736 runners taking part in its third edition in 2026, Secretary Tourism Anvy Lavasa said on Sunday, highlighting the event’s growing role in promoting Kashmir’s natural beauty, strengthening its international profile and encouraging a culture of fitness.
Addressing the prize distribution ceremony of Kashmir Marathon 3.0 in Srinagar, Lavasa said the annual sporting event had continued to grow with each passing year, both in participation and overall experience. She noted that runners from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, other states of the country and abroad had participated, reflecting the marathon’s expanding appeal among the running community.
According to the figures shared by the Tourism Secretary, the event recorded 1,315 participants in the Full Marathon category, while 216 female runners and 41 international participants were among those who took part. The participation reflected the event’s reach across different sections of the running community and its growing potential as a platform for sporting engagement and tourism promotion.
Lavasa said the experience of runners and the overall quality of the marathon had improved significantly over successive editions. She attributed the continued development of the event to sustained efforts by the Tourism Department, with the support of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo.
She said the administration was working to harness the growing enthusiasm for running and fitness by attracting participants from across the country and around the world, giving them an opportunity to experience Kashmir’s landscapes, cultural character and tourist attractions.
The Secretary emphasised that the marathon offered more than a competitive sporting experience, as its route took participants through some of Srinagar’s prominent locations and scenic landmarks, including Lal Chowk, Dal Lake and Chashme Shahi. The combination of long-distance running and Kashmir’s natural surroundings, she said, provided participants with an opportunity to discover the region while taking part in an international-level sporting event.
The Tourism Department has been seeking to use such events to strengthen Kashmir’s position as a destination for sports tourism, bringing together adventure, fitness and travel. Participation by runners from outside the Union Territory also provides an opportunity to showcase the region to visitors who can experience its hospitality and attractions firsthand.
Lavasa expressed hope that the Kashmir Marathon would continue to expand in scale and stature, with successive editions moving closer to the standards of a world-class sporting event. She stressed the importance of building on the growing participation and improving the overall experience to establish the marathon as a recognised fixture on the international running calendar.
She welcomed the participants and congratulated the winners, describing the award ceremony as an occasion to recognise athletic achievement while celebrating the collective contribution of runners to the event’s success.
The growing participation, including women and international runners, has added to the marathon’s profile as a sporting platform with tourism potential. Its continued development could create further opportunities to promote Srinagar and Kashmir through international sporting engagement, while encouraging local residents to embrace physical fitness and an active lifestyle.
Lavasa’s remarks underlined the Tourism Department’s objective of combining sporting excellence with destination promotion, with the Kashmir Marathon emerging as an important annual event connecting runners, tourism stakeholders and visitors through a shared experience of fitness and Kashmir’s scenic appeal.
