Kashmir Shines: Omar Abdullah Triumphs in Historic Marathon

On a momentous Sunday in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made history by participating in the region’s inaugural International Marathon. He successfully completed the 21 km race and took to social media to share his elation, saying, “I’m so damn pleased with myself today.” Abdullah’s impressive feat was achieved with an average pace of 5 minutes and 54 seconds per kilometer, despite the fact that he had never run more than 13 km prior to this event. His determination was fueled by the encouragement of fellow runners and the enthusiastic support of the crowd, which included his family.

Reflecting on the event, Abdullah expressed his vision for Kashmir, stating, “I hope that one day this marathon will be as famous as the world’s most renowned events. I want to see Jammu and Kashmir recognized globally for such occasions.” He admitted that he initially doubted his ability to complete half the marathon but found the courage and motivation by running alongside other participants.

The marathon, which commenced at the Polo Stadium under Abdullah’s flag-off, featured Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty as a special guest. This landmark event aimed to boost sports and tourism in Kashmir while also highlighting the region’s natural beauty. Shetty emphasized the significance of such gatherings, remarking, “People want to come to Kashmir, and an event like this sends a message to the entire world.”

In the realm of politics, recent developments saw the NC-Congress alliance secure victory in the Union Territory elections, the first held in a decade and since the revocation of Article 370. The JKNC won 42 seats, with Congress taking six, leading to Omar Abdullah’s swearing-in as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, alongside Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary.