Jammu’s first international marathon sees huge turnout despite heavy rain, Omar Abdullah joins runners

• Rain fails to dampen spirit as over 4,000 join Jammu International Marathon

Jammu, 29-03-2026: Jammu witnessed a historic and high-spirited sporting spectacle on Sunday as thousands of runners turned out for the city’s first-ever international marathon, undeterred by continuous rain. The event was flagged off by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at sunrise from M A Stadium, with the Chief Minister also joining the runners and lending a major boost to the enthusiasm surrounding the landmark occasion.

The inaugural marathon featured three race categories, including the 21-kilometre Half Marathon, the 10-kilometer Fitness Run and the 5-kilometer Fun Run. The event carried a total prize pool of Rs 1.33 crore, making it one of the most significant sporting attractions in the region.

The marathon unfolded as a vibrant mix of fitness, public participation and entertainment. Renowned fitness icon Milind Soman and his wife Ankita Konwar joined Omar Abdullah in the 21-kilometre run, while actress Gul Panag was present at the flag-off ceremony. Musical performances by singers Kamal Khan and Prateek Narula added festive energy to the event, turning the marathon into a larger celebration of health, tourism and community participation.

The first edition of the marathon recorded participation from more than 4,000 runners, including over 1,000 participants from outside Jammu and Kashmir and more than 90 international athletes. The event also saw active participation from legislators, MLAs and senior administrative officers, reflecting broad institutional support for the initiative. The Chief Minister’s sons, Zahir and Zamir, were also among those seen taking part in the race.

Describing the occasion as a historic day for Jammu, Joint Director Tourism Aijaz Qaiser said the impressive turnout despite the rain reflected the growing fitness culture in the region. He said the large public response to the event demonstrated both enthusiasm for marathon running and confidence in Jammu’s ability to host major sporting events.

On the preparations made for the event, Qaiser said elaborate arrangements had been put in place to ensure the safety and comfort of participants. He noted that the road surface had been properly prepared to prevent slipperiness despite the wet conditions. He also pointed out that while the route involved an elevation gain of around 450 to 500 metres, participants had been informed in advance and were mentally prepared for what he described as one of the toughest city marathons.

Qaiser also highlighted the tourism and economic importance of the event, saying that participation by thousands of runners represented a major opportunity for the local economy. He observed that if visitors stayed in Jammu even for a couple of days, it would result in a meaningful boost for hotels, transport, food outlets, and other local businesses. He added that as the marathon grows into an annual event, its tourism value is expected to rise further.

He said the marathon had been carefully designed not only as a sporting event but also as a platform to showcase Jammu’s destinations, hospitality, and cultural identity before a wider audience. He aimed to reach not only local runners but also the global running fraternity.

Participants, including international athletes from Kenya, praised both the spirit of the event and the arrangements made by the organizers. Franklin, who was visiting Jammu for the first time, said running in the rain was not unfamiliar and described Jammu as a pleasant and suitable place for such an event. Another runner, Allen Edwin, said the weather was challenging but appreciated the smooth conduct of the marathon and the warm hospitality extended to the participants.

The successful debut of the Jammu International Marathon has given the city a promising new identity in the fields of sports tourism and public events, with the massive turnout sending a clear message that Jammu is ready to host large-scale international sporting occasions with confidence and energy.