Days after taking office as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah added a personal achievement to his list by completing the Kashmir Half Marathon, running a commendable 21 kilometers.
The National Conference leader, known for his fitness regimen, expressed his delight on social media, calling the feat a significant milestone in his life.
Taking to platform X (formerly Twitter), Abdullah shared his excitement, saying, "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." He continued by acknowledging the motivation he drew from fellow runners: "Today I just kept going, propelled by the enthusiasm of other amateur runners like myself."
Despite having no formal training or specific running plan, Abdullah successfully navigated the course, occasionally refueling with a banana and some dates along the way. He highlighted the support he received from onlookers, including his family, who cheered him on as he passed his home.
The Chief Minister even found humor in the situation, mentioning that, "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." Ever the politician, he took it all in stride, sharing that journalists also attempted to interview him mid-run.
While celebrating his accomplishment, Abdullah offered advice to his followers, encouraging them to embrace running as a healthy alternative to drugs. "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."
Abdullah also responded to a complaint about the air quality in Delhi during a separate marathon, quipping, "Come and run in the Kashmir marathon next time, air quality will be better & the scenery is pretty good too."
The Kashmir Half Marathon was flagged off by Abdullah from Srinagar's Polo Stadium, marking the region's first-ever international marathon. Actor Suniel Shetty, also present at the event, lauded the initiative, calling Kashmir a "paradise for the world" and emphasizing the importance of such events in bringing global attention to the region.
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