Just days after being sworn in as Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah participated in the Kashmir half-marathon, completing the 21 km run with a personal best. He took to X to share his excitement, stating, “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.”
Abdullah revealed that he had never run more than 13 km before, and he attributed his achievement to the enthusiasm of fellow amateur runners. “No proper training, no running plan, no nutrition. I picked up a banana and a couple of khajoor along the way. The best part was running past my home with family and others cheering me on,” he added.
He shared metrics from his run on the Nike Run Club app, showcasing his journey around the scenic Dal Lake. Abdullah also mentioned the fun of snapping selfies along the route and even receiving appointment requests from participants. “It was such fun running with others. Lots of selfies and videos along the way. I even had a few requests for appointments and one or two job-related issues highlighted during the run. Let’s not forget the enterprising journalists trying to grab interviews,” he noted.
Encouraging others to run for stress relief, he remarked, “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 and achieve a natural feeling of euphoria. Try it; you won’t regret it. Let’s start running for a drug-free J&K.”
Responding to a participant from a Delhi half-marathon who complained about air quality, he invited them to join the Kashmir marathon next time, promising better conditions and beautiful scenery.
Today, Abdullah flagged off Kashmir’s first-ever International Marathon from Polo Stadium in Srinagar, with actor Suniel Shetty also in attendance. Shetty emphasized the event’s importance, stating, “People want to come to Kashmir, and an event like this sends a message to the world that participants from all over are coming here—it’s a big deal… Kashmir is a paradise for the world.”
Abdullah begins his second term as Chief Minister following a successful alliance between the National Conference and Congress, winning 48 seats in the 90-member Assembly, compared to the BJP’s 29.