Jammu International Marathon draws massive turnout
The City of Temples on Sunday hosted the inaugural edition of Jammu’s first-ever international marathon, marking its entry into the league of India’s major cities that organise large-scale running events.
Braving incessant rain, thousands of enthusiastic runners from across India and abroad participated in the Jammu Marathon 2026, which featured a half-marathon along with 10K and 5K categories. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah flagged off the event from Maulana Azad Stadium minutes before sunrise. Abdullah himself joined the participants, running alongside celebrities including Milind Soman and Gul Panag, to promote fitness, a healthy lifestyle, and unity.
His sons, Zahir and Zamir, and Satish Sharma, Minister for Youth Services & Sports, were also seen participating in the marathon. Prominent citizens, local athletes, social media influencers, Legislators, MLAs and senior administrative officers were also seen actively participating in the event. The marathon, themed around pride, honour, fitness, and awareness against drug abuse, saw strong participation with over 4000 domestic runners and international entrants. Musical performances by Kamal Khan and Prateek Narula added to the festive atmosphere.
Describing the occasion as a “historic day” for Jammu, Joint Director Tourism Aijaz Qaiser said, despite the rain, people have come out in huge numbers, which reflects the rising fitness culture in Jammu. Highlighting the theme “Temples to Trails,” the Chief Minister said the marathon is a step towards positioning Jammu as a hub for fitness tourism and cultural exploration. Actress Gul Panag praised the enthusiasm of both runners and organisers, highlighting the impressive turnout for the inaugural edition.
Fitness icon Milind Soman, expressing his delight at being part of the event, described it as a significant milestone for the region. He said the large-scale marathon marks a positive beginning and hoped that such initiatives would continue to encourage people to embrace running and active living.
Meanwhile, speaking at the felicitation ceremony of Jammu Marathon, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that the Jammu Marathon symbolises the profound transformation Jammu and Kashmir has embraced since 2019.
“Peace, prosperity and enabling conditions have made the UT a destination for world-class events. Its dream is realised at last, as after seven decades, J&K claims its rightful place on the global stage,” the Lieutenant Governor said. Terming the Jammu Marathon a historic milestone, the Lieutenant Governor said that Jammu has firmly established itself on the global running map. He said the success of the mega event promises a surge in tourism to the enchanting city of Jammu, benefiting trade and businesses and heralding an era of comprehensive development.
