Jammu, March 29 Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the Jammu marathon, themed "Temples to Trails", will position the winter capital as a vibrant destination for fitness tourism and cultural exploration.
An avid runner, Abdullah flagged off the Jammu Marathon at Maulana Azad Stadium here and went on to complete the 21 km run in two hours despite bad weather.
At the finish line, participants jostled to take pictures with the chief minister, who was greeted with loud cheers after completing the race.
"The chief minister flagged off the Jammu Marathon today and also took part in the 21.1 km half-marathon. He encouraged people from all walks of life to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle, underscoring the importance of fitness and overall well-being in daily life," his office posted on X.
The event, themed "Temples to Trails", Abdullah said, will position Jammu as a vibrant destination for fitness tourism and cultural exploration, showcasing its rich heritage alongside its scenic landscapes.
Fitness icon Milind Soman, who participated in the half-marathon, described the event as a "wonderful experience" and said he was pleased to see the chief minister take part in the run.
"It is an honour to be here. I completed 21 km on Sunday, and a day before, I had darshan at Vaishno Devi Temple. I covered about 20 km then as well," Soman told reporters, raising the slogan “Bharat Mata ki Jai”.
Soman said he enjoyed running in the rain and added that the enthusiasm of the people made him happy. "It also felt good to see the chief minister running," he said.
Actress Gul Panag praised the enthusiasm of both runners and organizers, highlighting the impressive turnout for the inaugural edition.
Describing the overwhelming support as a significant achievement, she noted that large numbers of people participated despite the bad weather, and extended her congratulations to all participants and supporters.