SRINAGAR — Kenyan runners Kanab Kalob Omolo and Lemensa Harpaa won the men’s and women’s full marathon titles, respectively, at the third edition of the Kashmir International Marathon held in Srinagar on Sunday. Among the event’s notable participants was Kulsum from Gujarat, who ran while carrying a child in her arms, while specially-abled runner Shivam Kumar of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, also drew attention.
The event brought together runners from Jammu and Kashmir, other parts of India and abroad, highlighting endurance, fitness and sporting participation.
According to details accessed by the news agency KNO, a total of 1,807 runners registered for the event, including 1,221 participants from Jammu and Kashmir, 513 from other parts of the country and 73 foreign athletes representing 12 countries.
The marathon featured a 42.195-kilometre full marathon and a 21-kilometre half marathon, with separate categories for local runners from Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the event as an emerging flagship sporting initiative for Jammu and Kashmir, saying it would help strengthen the region’s international sports tourism profile while promoting fitness and healthy living.
He said the marathon offered an opportunity to showcase Kashmir’s natural beauty and cultural heritage and position the region as a destination for major sporting events.
The routes covered prominent locations in Srinagar, including Lal Chowk, Gupkar Road, Boulevard Road, the Jhelum riverfront, Dal Lake and the Mughal Gardens.
The event carried a total prize purse of ₹3.17 crore, with ₹25 lakh earmarked for the winner in the open category. A separate prize category for runners from Jammu and Kashmir was also introduced to encourage local talent and provide regional athletes with greater opportunities to compete at national and international levels.
Full marathon and half-marathon results
In the men’s full marathon open category, Omolo finished first, followed by Hamington Kinaro Cherub in second place and Jacob Kabacholi in third.
In the women’s full marathon, Harpaa claimed the title, while Sheren Jimilo finished second and Monika Vanjohi third.
The men’s half-marathon title went to Leme Teshong Lemantso, followed by Barko Bayasa Bakale in second place and Sambol Eric Kanguso in third.
In the women’s half marathon, Ankita finished first, followed by Saha Deslin Adana and Helen Motino Megonor.
Local category winners
In the men’s local full marathon category, Kulbir Singh secured first place, followed by Waseem Ahmad Dar and Ragav Sharma.
Neha Dewi won the women’s local full marathon, with Diksha finishing second and Salma Bedi third.
In the men’s local half marathon, Mohammad Yaseen Mir finished first, followed by Rajit Sharma and Parveen Kumar.
Keriti Dewi won the women’s local half marathon, while Sakshi Thakur finished second and Shamshad Bano third.
LG highlights opportunities for local talent
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the marathon was creating opportunities for local sporting talent and expressed confidence that runners from Jammu and Kashmir would establish themselves at national and international levels.
Addressing the prize distribution ceremony at Polo View Ground in Srinagar, Sinha said talent existed across the Union Territory but often lacked adequate opportunities to showcase itself.
He said a champion marathon runner could emerge from any district, including Anantnag, Pulwama and Budgam.
Congratulating the winners, the lieutenant governor also praised participants who completed the race without winning medals, saying their determination and perseverance deserved recognition.
“I would also like to say something to those who did not receive a medal. You are not merely participants; you are also winners. Those who keep running and cross the finish line after several hours deserve our salute,” he said.
Sinha said the marathon had helped bridge the gap between talent and opportunity by giving aspiring runners a platform to demonstrate their abilities.
“I am confident that the next big name in marathon running will emerge from Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He urged the winners to guide and mentor aspiring runners, saying their achievements could encourage more young people to take up sports.
“Flowers are about to bloom and they will bloom (Phool khilne wale hain, khilenge),” Sinha said, expressing optimism about the future of young sporting talent.
The lieutenant governor also said he was pleased that the Kashmir Marathon had secured a place in the calendar of international marathons and races. He congratulated the Tourism Department, police, medical teams, volunteers and other stakeholders involved in organising the event.
Officials highlight tourism and fitness
Jammu and Kashmir Police SSP Tahir Ashraf Bhatti described the Kashmir Marathon 2026 as an opportunity to interact with people from across the world and promote Kashmir internationally.
Bhatti said the participation of runners from India and other countries offered opportunities to build friendships, exchange experiences and share a positive message about Kashmir.
He expressed hope that the marathon would help strengthen the culture of sports and physical fitness in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha also emphasised the importance of physical activity, saying the event was not merely a sporting competition but an opportunity to encourage healthier lifestyles and greater public participation in exercise.
He expressed concern over the amount of time people spend on mobile phones and other screens and urged people to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines. He said participation in a marathon was not necessary for everyone but encouraged people across age groups, including those above 50, to remain active.
Addressing young people, Sinha said a marathon taught determination, patience and how to overcome challenges.
“There are no shortcuts in a marathon, and there are no shortcuts in life either,” he said, urging young people to recognise opportunities, take responsibility and turn challenges into opportunities.
The event was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Secretary Tourism Avny Lavasa, Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajjad and other senior officers.
The Chief Minister had inaugurated a three-day Marathon Expo at Polo View on October 22 as part of the activities accompanying the event.
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