KATHUA, OCT 20: Around 500 runners participated in the 21-kilometre Half Marathon organised as part of Basohli Utsav 2026, bringing together athletes from different regions to celebrate sporting excellence, physical fitness and endurance against the picturesque backdrop of the River Ravi and Basohli’s scenic landscape.
The marathon showcased Basohli’s growing potential as a destination for sports tourism, combining a challenging long-distance running event with the region’s natural beauty. The route covered the iconic Atal Setu, proceeded towards Dunera and culminated at Rani Talab, Basohli, after the return leg, offering participants a memorable experience amid the area’s distinctive landscape.
The event was flagged off from Atal Setu by former minister Prem Sagar Aziz, MLA Basohli Darshan Singh and ADC Basohli Pankaj Bhagotra. The participation of around 500 runners reflected the enthusiasm generated by the sporting event, which formed an important component of the ongoing Basohli Utsav celebrations.
In the men’s category, Vishal Singh of Himachal Pradesh emerged victorious, securing the first position through an impressive performance over the 21-kilometre distance. Pramod Singh of Dehradun finished second, while Rohit of Udhampur claimed third place.
The women’s category witnessed Nikita Sharma of Una, Himachal Pradesh, clinch the top position. Rubina, also from Una, secured second place, while Ramani Patel of Madhya Pradesh finished third, highlighting the participation of women athletes in the competitive sporting event.
Excise Commissioner Vaibhav Kohli presented prizes to the winners and participants. The organisers distributed substantial cash rewards to recognise the achievements of the leading finishers in both categories.
The first-place finishers in the men’s and women’s categories received ₹50,000 each, while the second-place finishers were awarded ₹30,000 each. The third-place finishers received ₹20,000 each. With ₹1 lakh allocated to each category, the combined prize money for the event amounted to ₹2 lakh.
Several prominent officials and personalities attended the event, including Director Anti-Corruption Bureau Shakti Pathak, CEO BBDA B. R. Tandon, SDPO Om Parkash, DFO Suresh Sharma, BDO/Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Basohli, Rajesh Kumar, ZEO Radha Krishan, ZDPO Tara Singh, former Municipal Committee Chairman Sumesh Sapolia, former BSF Deputy Commandant Bhupinder Vikas and athlete Sudhir Anand, among other dignitaries.
The Half Marathon formed part of the broader sporting programme under Basohli Utsav 2026, which seeks to encourage public participation in sports and promote fitness, discipline and a competitive spirit among people of different age groups and backgrounds.
Beyond the sporting achievements, the event also highlighted the tourism potential of Basohli, with the Atal Setu, the Ravi riverbank and the surrounding natural landscape providing an attractive setting for an endurance race. Such events offer opportunities to bring together sporting activities, local tourism and public engagement while increasing the visibility of the region.
With around 500 participants, competitive performances across both categories and ₹2 lakh in cash prizes, the Half Marathon emerged as a major sporting attraction of Basohli Utsav 2026, reinforcing the festival’s focus on fitness, athletic talent and the promotion of Basohli as a destination for sports and tourism.
