Srinagar, Oct 16: As the third edition of much-anticipated event is scheduled to be held on October 25, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Syed Qamar Sajjad, Friday said that the Kashmir Marathon will become a regular annual feature of Jammu and Kashmir tourism calendar, with the Tourism Department planning to introduce 5K and 10K races to attract more participants and strengthen sports tourism in the Valley.
The Kashmir Marathon 3.0, scheduled for October 25, is expected to attract more than 2,000 athletes, including 73 foreign runners, as preparations for the event enter their final stage.
In an exclusive interview with Rising Kashmir, Sajjad said around 1,800 participants had registered so far, while another 200 to 400 athletes were expected to register ahead of the event during the three-day expo, slated to be held from October 22 to 24.
He said the marathon’s inclusion in the calendar of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) would help establish it as a consistent annual event and strengthen Kashmir’s position as a destination for sporting events.
“The Kashmir Marathon will be a brand of the Tourism Department and a regular feature every year,” Sajjad said.
Apart from this, he said the department was also planning to organise 5K and 10K races during the spring season, when tulips and other blossoms attract tourists to Kashmir. The shorter races would provide visitors with an opportunity to participate in sporting activities while experiencing the Valley’s spring landscape.
Separate prize category for local athletes
Sajjad said a separate prize category had been introduced for Jammu and Kashmir domiciles in this year’s marathon to encourage local participation and promote fitness.
He said international marathons were often dominated by African runners, particularly those from Kenya, while local athletes needed greater encouragement and opportunities to showcase their talent.
The initiative, he said, was aimed at bringing local runners into the spotlight and encouraging more people to take up running and fitness activities.
Sajjad said participation in running events was increasing, with the police and district-level administrations also organising such activities, making sporting events more inclusive.
Golf, winter sports to boost tourism
The Director Tourism said the department was expanding its focus on sports tourism, with golf being revived alongside established winter sports activities in Gulmarg.
He said the department had organised six to seven sporting tournaments this year, including a five-day Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) tournament that witnessed foreign participation.
A junior golf tournament was also organised in Pahalgam for the first time, while the department had revived the Valley Race event in Gulmarg. It also plans to conduct seven-day golf courses in Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
Sajjad said sporting activities could generate tourism-related economic benefits as golfers and skiers often travel with their families and stay in Kashmir for four to five days.
He said winter sports, snowboarding and other adventure activities offered further opportunities to attract visitors, adding that sports and tourism were closely linked rather than separate sectors.
Foreign participation despite travel advisories
On attracting international runners, Sajjad said travel advisories issued by some European countries and the United States, along with the prevailing situation in the Middle East, had affected international participation.
He said the 73 foreign registrations were seven fewer than last year’s figure but described the participation as encouraging in the prevailing circumstances.
“The international community is looking at the events of the Valley and they are actually taking part in them,” he said.
Sajjad said the domestic market also offered considerable potential, including high-end tourists, but stressed that infrastructure needed to be strengthened alongside efforts to attract more visitors.
Multi-agency coordination for marathon
Sajjad said an Inter-Departmental Coordination Committee and a core group were coordinating preparations for the marathon, with the Divisional Commissioner regularly monitoring the arrangements.
He said the police, security forces and different administrative agencies were working together to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
A dedicated team has also been assigned to assist participating athletes with accommodation and logistical support, he said.
Sajjad said the department would extend all possible assistance to participants to ensure a comfortable stay and a memorable experience in Kashmir.
