Lone Naira
Srinagar, Oct 19: The Kashmir International Marathon is poised to make history as the first event in the state to offer the highest prize money for Indian participants.
Dr. Sunita Godara, the 1992 Asian gold medalist and elite coordinator for Indian participants, as per The Web Story/ The Varmul Post stated during a press conference that the Kashmir Marathon features the highest prize money for participants to date.
“This marks the highest prize money ever offered in India,” she said. “I have been running since 1988. For the first time, the Kashmir Marathon has the largest prize money for a marathon in Srinagar,” she added.
Dr. Godara mentioned that 45 elite athletes from across the country will participate in both the full marathon and the half marathon. She highlighted that prominent athletes joining the event include T. Gopi, who became the first Indian to win the Asian Marathon men’s title in 2017, and Man Singh, the current Asian gold medalist of 2024. Other notable participants include Ankit Deswal, Lafreet Singh, Poonam, Prajakta Godbole, Jyoti Gavte, and Ashwini.
The marathon will feature two categories: a full marathon covering 42 kilometers and a half marathon spanning 21 kilometers. The full marathon will begin at Polo View, passing through the scenic Cheshma Shahi Garden and concluding at the University Gate. The half marathon will finish at Nishat Garden, providing participants with stunning views of Srinagar’s famous Dal Lake.
The event is expected to attract notable personalities, including Indian actor and producer Suniel Shetty, and reportedly professional badminton player Saina Nehwal as well.
Their presence is anticipated to add glamour to the marathon, which aims to promote both sports and tourism in Kashmir.
Pertinently, The marathon will feature two categories: a full marathon covering 42 kilometers and a half marathon of 21 kilometers, with a combined prize pool of Rs 3 crore.
In the full marathon, the first prize is set at Rs 25,00,000, followed by Rs 20,00,000 for second place, Rs 18,00,000 for third, Rs 15,00,000 for fourth, and Rs 12,00,000 for fifth position. Similarly, in the half marathon, the first-place winner will receive Rs 15,00,000, with Rs 12,00,000 for second, Rs 9,00,000 for third, Rs 6,00,000 for fourth, and Rs 3,00,000 for fifth.
