Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Nov 1: Director of Tourism Kashmir, Raja Yaqoob, on Saturday said that the upcoming Kashmir Marathon 2025 will be the biggest event in the Valley since the Pahalgam attack, asserting that terrorism cannot break the spirit of Jammu and Kashmir.
Yaqoob said that participants from across India and several foreign countries will take part in the run, which aims to boost both national and international tourism.
“Post-Pahalgam incident, this is the biggest event taking place. A strong message is being sent through this marathon that no matter what kind of terrorism occurs, it cannot break the spirit of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He added that athletes from 27 states and Union Territories of India and 11 countries, including Germany, Denmark, the USA, Ethiopia, Kenya, Japan, and Sri Lanka, will participate in the marathon. “We are expecting at least 1,500 people to run in this marathon. More than 1,200 athletes have already arrived with their families,” he said.
Calling it a challenging edition due to post-Pahalgam advisories and a tourism slowdown, Yaqoob said the event is the reflection of Kashmir’s resilience. “Tourism dipped significantly after Pahalgam, but this marathon shows that we will rise again. Kashmir’s spirit cannot be broken,” he said.
He said the marathon concept was introduced last year by the Chief Secretary to promote adventure tourism in Kashmir. “The aim is to boost national and international tourism. This is our second year, and Insha’Allah, it will continue as an annual event and expand further,” he said.
Yaqoob also highlighted the event’s economic impact, saying thousands of room-night bookings and increased local shopping will support the hospitality and handicraft sectors. “With families, coaches, and participants arriving, we expect strong tourism and business activity. We also plan to introduce 5K and 10K runs in summer to increase local participation,” he said.
The marathon will feature 21 km and 42 km categories, attracting professional athletes who have competed in prestigious events such as the Boston and London marathons.
