"Damn Pleased": Omar Abdullah Opens Kashmir Marathon, Runs 21 Km In 2 Hours

Days after taking oath as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today hit the streets for the Kashmir marathon and recorded a personal milestone by running 21 km. The National Conference leader took to X to share the update and visuals from his impressive run. "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 said in the post.

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. 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… pic.twitter.com/yZVjFz5oJ4 — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 20, 2024

"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 in his post.

The metrics from the Nike Run Club app on my watch ????????‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/EL0XvslOJ6 — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 20, 2024

The Chief Minister recorded himself running with other participants in the marathon along the scenic Dal Lake.

In another post, Mr Abdullah said he clicked lots of selfies along the way and even received appointment requests. What's more, some journalists also tried to grab interviews.

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 along side in the hope of grabbing… pic.twitter.com/BfFijIOem9 — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 20, 2024

"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 along side in the hope of grabbing an interview," he said.

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. pic.twitter.com/AC450rbsLq — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 20, 2024

Mr Abdullah also advised people to try running to beat stress. "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 posted.

The Chief Minister also responded to an ANI post in which a Delhi half-marathon participant complained about the national capital's air quality. "Come and run in the Kashmir marathon next time, air quality will be better & the scenery is pretty good too," he said.

Come and run in the Kashmir marathon next time, air quality will be better & the scenery is pretty good too. https://t.co/QPE8IdhI3y — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 20, 2024

Mr Abdullah today flagged off Kashmir's first-ever International Marathon from Srinagar's Polo Stadium. 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.

Mr Abdullah has started his second term as Chief Minister after the National Conference-Congress alliance recorded a victory in the first Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir after it lost its special status and statehood. The alliance won 48 seats in the 90-member Assembly, followed by the BJP which recorded a score of 29.