Saina Nehwal & Suniel Shetty to join global athletes at Kashmir Marathon

Srinagar, Oct 17: The Director of Tourism for Kashmir, Raja Yaqoob Farooq, said on Tuesday that all arrangements are ready for the highly anticipated Kashmir Marathon, scheduled for October 20, 2024. Organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, this marathon is expected to be a major sporting event for the region, with over 2,000 participants registered from across India and abroad.
The marathon will include two categories: a full marathon covering 42 kilometers and a half marathon stretching 21 kilometers. The full marathon will start at Polo View and pass through the scenic Cheshma Shahi Garden, ending at the University Gate. The half marathon will conclude at Nishat Garden, offering participants stunning views along Srinagar’s famous Dal Lake.
The event will attract notable personalities, including Indian actor and producer Suniel Shetty, professional badminton player Saina Nehwal, and businessman Anil Ambani. Their presence is expected to add glamour to the marathon, which aims to promote both sports and tourism in Kashmir.
In addition to featuring some of India’s top marathon runners, the event will host over 50 athletes from 30 countries, making it a truly international affair. Elite athletes like India’s top marathoner Nitendra Singh Rawat and Ethiopia’s Girmay Birhanu, a past winner of the Mumbai Marathon, will also participate, ensuring fierce competition.
The marathon boasts a total prize pool of ₹15 lakh, with the top male and female finishers in the full marathon each receiving ₹5 lakh. The remaining prize money will be awarded to the top three finishers in both the full and half marathon categories.
Beyond promoting sports, the marathon aims to highlight Kashmir’s potential as an adventure tourism destination. The Director of Tourism expressed optimism that the event will boost the local economy by attracting tourists, runners, and sports enthusiasts from around the world. He emphasized that the marathon is designed to showcase the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the Kashmir Valley, making it an annual highlight on the region’s sporting calendar.