04:50More than 2,000 runners participated on Sunday in Kashmir's marathon, the first international athletic event in the valley.
Footage shows runners from across India and 12 foreign countries warming up before the race which was flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty on stage.
"I'm very excited to be here…There are a lot of hydration points and a lot of support systems out there," one athlete said.
"I can also see that the people of Kashmir are very happy to have us here. I hope the government will have many more runs like this and we'll be very happy to come here again and again," she added.
Runners raced across the Dal Lake set against the scenic Zabarwan mountain range, making their way through several Mughal gardens before reaching the Dargah Hazratbal Mosque, Kashmir holiest Islamic shrine.
"This is my first time participating in this marathon and today's marathon was a great success. It should continue because it’s a good initiative by the Ministry of Tourism. They should organise such events in future so that many people will enjoy them," another participant said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who ran a half marathon, expressed hope to see the race become a 'top' international sporting event in the future.
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday that the government's sustained efforts 'to bring peace to Jammu and Kashmir' has paved the way for such events.
"It's the first of it's kind in the valley. I think it shows the peace that prevails here," one runner added.
Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region against the backdrop of the Himalayan mountains, has been the subject of a political conflict dating back to the 1947 Partition of India. Kashmiri people have long been calling for independence and autonomy amid a decades-long territorial dispute between India and Pakistan.
'Today was a great success' - Thousands hit streets for Kashmir's first international marathon
More than 2,000 runners participated on Sunday in Kashmir's marathon, the first international athletic event in the valley.
Footage shows runners from across India and 12 foreign countries warming up before the race which was flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty on stage.
"I'm very excited to be here…There are a lot of hydration points and a lot of support systems out there," one athlete said.
"I can also see that the people of Kashmir are very happy to have us here. I hope the government will have many more runs like this and we'll be very happy to come here again and again," she added.
Runners raced across the Dal Lake set against the scenic Zabarwan mountain range, making their way through several Mughal gardens before reaching the Dargah Hazratbal Mosque, Kashmir holiest Islamic shrine.
"This is my first time participating in this marathon and today's marathon was a great success. It should continue because it’s a good initiative by the Ministry of Tourism. They should organise such events in future so that many people will enjoy them," another participant said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who ran a half marathon, expressed hope to see the race become a 'top' international sporting event in the future.
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday that the government's sustained efforts 'to bring peace to Jammu and Kashmir' has paved the way for such events.
"It's the first of it's kind in the valley. I think it shows the peace that prevails here," one runner added.
Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region against the backdrop of the Himalayan mountains, has been the subject of a political conflict dating back to the 1947 Partition of India. Kashmiri people have long been calling for independence and autonomy amid a decades-long territorial dispute between India and Pakistan.
More than 2,000 runners participated on Sunday in Kashmir's marathon, the first international athletic event in the valley.
Footage shows runners from across India and 12 foreign countries warming up before the race which was flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty on stage.
"I'm very excited to be here…There are a lot of hydration points and a lot of support systems out there," one athlete said.
"I can also see that the people of Kashmir are very happy to have us here. I hope the government will have many more runs like this and we'll be very happy to come here again and again," she added.
Runners raced across the Dal Lake set against the scenic Zabarwan mountain range, making their way through several Mughal gardens before reaching the Dargah Hazratbal Mosque, Kashmir holiest Islamic shrine.
"This is my first time participating in this marathon and today's marathon was a great success. It should continue because it’s a good initiative by the Ministry of Tourism. They should organise such events in future so that many people will enjoy them," another participant said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who ran a half marathon, expressed hope to see the race become a 'top' international sporting event in the future.
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday that the government's sustained efforts 'to bring peace to Jammu and Kashmir' has paved the way for such events.
"It's the first of it's kind in the valley. I think it shows the peace that prevails here," one runner added.
Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region against the backdrop of the Himalayan mountains, has been the subject of a political conflict dating back to the 1947 Partition of India. Kashmiri people have long been calling for independence and autonomy amid a decades-long territorial dispute between India and Pakistan.