Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made headlines by completing a half-marathon (21 km) in just two hours during the inaugural Kashmir International Marathon. At 54, Abdullah showcased impressive fitness levels, proving that age is merely a number when it comes to determination and mindset.

The marathon, which attracted around 2,000 athletes from 13 countries, aimed to position Kashmir as a safe and welcoming destination for global sporting events. Among the participants were 35 local athletes and 59 international runners, including renowned Asian gold medallists and top competitors from Europe and Africa. Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty also graced the event's inaugural ceremony.

Despite having run no more than 13 km in his life prior to this event, Abdullah completed the half-marathon at an impressive pace of 5.54 minutes per kilometer, all without proper training. In a light-hearted tweet, he mentioned his preparation consisted of little more than a banana and some dates, highlighting the enthusiasm he felt running alongside fellow amateur participants.

He expressed pride in the event, stating, “Today I just kept going, propelled by the enthusiasm of other amateur runners like myself.” Abdullah also emphasized his commitment to promoting a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir, tweeting, “Let’s start running for a drug-free J&K.”

The marathon concluded with Sher Singh and Tamasi Singh taking top honors, with Sher completing the full 42 km in 2.23 hours in the men’s category and Tamasi finishing in 3.03 hours in the women’s category. Abdullah's participation not only celebrated fitness but also served to inspire the region towards a healthier, drug-free future.