Srinagar: More than 1,800 runners, including 73 international athletes representing 12 countries, have registered for the third edition of the Kashmir Marathon, with the overall participation expected to cross the 2,000 mark, Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajjad said on Thursday.
With the marathon scheduled for October 25, preparations are in the final stages, and the Tourism Department is coordinating with various government agencies to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Kashmir Marathon 2026 Expo, Sajjad said the organisers had received 1,807 online registrations so far, including entries from international participants.
“We expect the total number of participants to cross 2,000 this year,” he said.
On-spot registration opens at marathon expo
The Director Tourism said the three-day expo, inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Polo View in Srinagar, features 20 stalls showcasing sports equipment and related products.
On-the-spot registration was opened after 4 pm on Thursday to provide an opportunity for runners who had not completed the online registration process to join the event.
Sajjad said the department was working in coordination with other government agencies to ensure that the arrangements for race day were completed on time.
The third edition of the Kashmir Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 25, bringing together participants from different parts of India and overseas.
International participation to boost Kashmir’s tourism profile
Highlighting the wider significance of the marathon, Sajjad said international sporting events could play an important role in strengthening Kashmir’s image as a tourist destination.
He said the participation of athletes from different countries would provide an opportunity to showcase the Valley’s natural beauty and hospitality to an international audience.
According to the Director Tourism, such events can help build confidence among prospective visitors while promoting Kashmir as a destination for sports tourism.
He also underlined the potential economic benefits, noting that the arrival of athletes, accompanying visitors and event-related personnel could support local businesses, including hotels, transport operators and other tourism-linked service providers.
Kashmir Marathon to become an annual event
Sajjad said the government had decided to include the Kashmir Marathon in its annual events calendar to ensure that it is organised regularly and gains wider international recognition.
He said the continuation of such events would help maintain Kashmir’s visibility in the global tourism market while creating further opportunities to attract visitors through sports and outdoor activities.
With registrations continuing at the expo and preparations nearing completion, the organisers expect the October 25 event to draw its largest field yet, further strengthening the Kashmir Marathon’s position on the region’s sporting and tourism calendar.
