SRINAGAR, OCT 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for an aggressive national and international outreach for the third edition of the Kashmir Marathon 2026, directing departments to position the event as a major global sporting attraction while expanding participation among elite runners, fitness enthusiasts and the general public.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review preparations for the October 25 marathon, the Chief Minister directed the Tourism Department and other stakeholders to intensify promotional activities across India and overseas, including through prominent running and fitness influencers. He also called for inviting leading runners and influencers to Kashmir ahead of the event to generate wider visibility and build international interest around the race.
Omar Abdullah stressed that the marathon’s substantial prize purse should be strategically used to attract high-quality competitive runners from outside Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmir Marathon 2026 carries a total prize purse of ₹3.17 crore, with ₹2.11 crore earmarked for the Full Marathon and ₹1.06 crore for the Half Marathon.
A dedicated J&K Local Category, carrying an additional prize component of ₹25 lakh, has also been introduced to provide greater recognition and incentive to runners from the Union Territory and encourage the emergence of local sporting talent.
Seeking to make the marathon more inclusive, the Chief Minister proposed an untimed 5K Fun Run, which would enable families, youngsters, amateur runners and fitness enthusiasts to participate without the pressure of competitive timing.
He also proposed introducing virtual participation in the next edition, allowing runners from different parts of India and abroad to participate remotely and connect with the Kashmir Marathon experience, potentially extending the event’s reach beyond the physical race route.
Reviewing the operational arrangements, Omar Abdullah directed agencies to ensure international-standard route management, precise distance marking and professional race logistics for both Full and Half Marathon courses.
He called for kilometre-wise markers throughout the routes, besides 100-metre markers during the final kilometre, to assist runners with accurate distance awareness and ensure a professionally managed competitive environment.
The third edition has already generated substantial interest, with more than 1,400 registrations received from Jammu and Kashmir, different parts of India and international destinations. The Kashmir Marathon is also recognised on the international calendar of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), strengthening its positioning within the global distance-running circuit.
Ahead of the main race, a three-day Marathon Expo will be held from October 22 to 24 at the Sports Council Ground, Poloview. Apart from bib distribution and fitness-oriented activities, the expo will serve as a platform to showcase Jammu and Kashmir’s handicrafts, handlooms, horticulture and rich cultural heritage, linking the sporting event with the region’s tourism and creative economy.
The Chief Minister directed all concerned agencies to maintain close coordination to ensure seamless arrangements covering traffic regulation, route security, medical assistance, public conveniences, electricity, water supply and other logistical requirements.
The review meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary PDD Ashwini Kumar, ACS to CM Dheeraj Gupta, ACS PWD Anil Kumar Singh, ACS Tourism Ashish Chandra Verma, along with Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, IGP Kashmir, Director Information, Commissioner SMC, Managing Director and CEO J&K Bank, Director Tourism Kashmir and other senior officers.
With a combination of a ₹3.17-crore prize purse, international recognition, elite participation, a dedicated local category, a proposed mass-participation 5K and an expanded promotional strategy, the 2026 edition is being positioned not merely as a competitive road race but as a wider sporting, tourism and cultural showcase for Jammu and Kashmir.
Online registration for the Kashmir Marathon 2026 remains open through the official marathon portal.
