Lagatar24 Desk
Srinagar: Just days after being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah participated in the Kashmir Marathon today, setting a personal record by completing the 21 km run. The National Conference leader expressed his elation on X, sharing visuals from the marathon. “I’m so damn pleased with myself today. I completed the Kashmir Half Marathon – 21 KM at an average pace of 5 min 54 sec per KM,” he posted.
“I’ve never run more than 13 KM in my life & that too only ever once. Today I just kept going, propelled by the enthusiasm of other amateur runners like myself. No proper training, no running plan, no nutrition. Picked up a banana & a couple of khajoor along the way. The best part was running past my home with family & others out to cheer me on,” the 54-year-old added.
Mr. Abdullah shared videos of himself running alongside other participants, with the scenic Dal Lake in the background. He mentioned taking numerous selfies during the run and even receiving appointment requests from fellow runners. “It was such fun running with others. Lots of selfies & videos along the way. I even had a few requests for appointments and one or two job related problems highlighted along the way. Let’s not forget the enterprising journalists who tried to run alongside in the hope of grabbing an interview,” he remarked.
The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to promote running as a way to combat stress and substance abuse. “You don’t need drugs to feel good or beat stress. A good run, whether a kilometer or a marathon, is enough to clear the cobwebs & achieve a natural feeling of euphoria & enthusiasm. Try it, you won’t regret it. Let’s start running for a drug-free J&K,” he encouraged.
Responding to a participant in the Delhi half-marathon who commented on the poor air quality in the capital, Mr. Abdullah quipped, “Come and run in the Kashmir marathon next time, air quality will be better & the scenery is pretty good too.”
Earlier in the day, Mr. Abdullah flagged off Kashmir’s first-ever International Marathon from Srinagar’s Polo Stadium, where actor Suniel Shetty was also present. “People want to come to Kashmir, and an event like this gives a message to the entire world that people from all over the world are coming here to participate and it’s a big thing… It’s a paradise for the world,” Mr. Shetty told the media.
Omar Abdullah has begun his second term as Chief Minister following the victory of the National Conference-Congress alliance in the first Assembly elections held in Jammu and Kashmir after the revocation of its special status and statehood. The alliance secured 48 seats in the 90-member Assembly, while the BJP won 29.
