SRINAGAR: The third edition of the Kashmir Marathon will be held on October 25, with 67 foreign nationals from 12 countries registered for the event, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg said during a review meeting on preparations.
The event will feature a full marathon covering 42.19 kilometres and a half marathon spanning 21.09 kilometres, both scheduled to take place on the same morning. A three-day Marathon Expo will also be organised at Polo Ground.
Garg chaired the meeting to review arrangements being made by the Tourism Department, the nodal agency for the event, and other departments. Seventeen aid stations will be established along the route to provide assistance to participants.
He directed all stakeholder departments to appoint nodal officers to ensure effective coordination and the timely completion of their assigned responsibilities.
The Roads and Buildings Department was instructed to inspect the route and fill potholes to provide runners with a safe surface. Officials were also asked to prune trees along the marathon loop and improve its appearance by placing potted flowers.
Emphasising the importance of maintaining Srinagar’s surroundings, Garg directed the concerned agencies to ensure cleanliness around Dal Lake and along the marathon route. The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) was specifically tasked with maintaining proper sanitation along the course and at the inaugural venue.
The administration was also directed to deploy volunteers at suitable locations and establish adequately staffed medical camps to respond to health emergencies during the event.
The Traffic Police was asked to publicise designated parking locations in advance and ensure smooth traffic movement on marathon day. The SMC and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) were instructed to ensure that streetlights along the route were functioning properly, while the Sports Council was tasked with arranging lighting at Polo Ground.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Director Tourism and officers from the departments of Information, Public Health Engineering, Youth Services and Sports, Health, Agriculture, Hospitality and Protocol. Representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation, Srinagar Smart City Limited, Srinagar Regional Transport Corporation, Lakes Conservation and Management Authority, State Disaster Response Force, Police and Fire and Emergency Services also attended.
Garg stressed that close coordination among departments and the timely completion of preparations would be essential for the smooth conduct of the marathon.
