Forget Marathons; Omar Abdullah's Banana-Powered Run!
In a remarkable display of athleticism and resilience, kashmir - SRINAGAR/JAMMU' target='_blank' title='jammu and kashmir-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">jammu and kashmir Chief minister omar abdullah completed a half-marathon (21 km) in just two hours at the inaugural kashmir international Marathon. At the age of 54, Abdullah showcased an impressive fitness level, proving that age is merely a number and that a determined mindset can drive individuals toward their goals.
The marathon, which took place on Sunday, attracted around 2,000 athletes from 13 countries, marking a significant international sporting event in the region. Notably, the event featured 35 local athletes and 59 international runners, including Asian gold medallists and elite competitors from europe and Africa.
Organized by the kashmir - SRINAGAR/JAMMU' target='_blank' title='jammu and kashmir-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">jammu and kashmir Tourism Department, the marathon aimed to promote kashmir as a safe and peaceful destination capable of hosting global events. The event was also attended by bollywood actor Suniel Shetty, who joined Abdullah at the inaugural ceremony, adding a touch of glamour to the occasion.
Despite his impressive finish, omar abdullah candidly admitted on twitter that he participated without any formal training, having only previously run 13 km once in his life. He completed the race at an average pace of approximately 5.54 minutes per kilometer. Abdullah shared his experience, stating, “Today I just kept going, propelled by the enthusiasm of other amateur runners like myself. No proper training, no running plan, no nutrition. I picked up a banana and a couple of khajoor along the way. The best part was running past my home with family and others out to cheer me on.”
Highlighting the importance of the event, Abdullah expressed his vision for the kashmir Marathon to become one of the premier athletic events globally in the coming years. He also took the opportunity to advocate for a drug-free kashmir - SRINAGAR/JAMMU' target='_blank' title='jammu and kashmir-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">jammu and kashmir, encouraging more people to take up running as a means of promoting health and wellness.
The marathon concluded with Sher Singh and Tamasi Singh emerging as winners. Sher Singh clinched the top spot in the men’s category, completing the full marathon (42 km) in an impressive time of 2 hours and 23 minutes, while Tamasi Singh won the women’s category with a finish time of 3 hours and 3 minutes.
Overall, the kashmir international Marathon not only celebrated athleticism but also served as a testament to the region’s potential as a host for major international sporting events, fostering a spirit of unity and healthy competition among participants.