Over 500 Athletes Participate in Fifth Edition of Patnitop Marathon
Jammu: More than 500 athletes from across India participated in the fifth edition of the Patnitop Marathon held on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department in collaboration with the Patnitop Development Authority and IKA Sports and Events, the marathon celebrated fitness, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of the region.
The event was flagged off by Joint Director Tourism Jammu, Aijaz Qaiser, from the scenic hill resort of Patnitop. The run saw enthusiastic participation from professional athletes, fitness lovers, tourists, and locals, who came together to celebrate health, endurance, and adventure against the stunning Himalayan backdrop.
The marathon featured several race categories — the ultra marathon (50 km), half marathon (21 km), as well as 10 km and 5 km runs — flagged off in intervals starting at 6:30 a.m.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Alyas Khan, distributed prizes among winners and runners-up across various categories and age groups. He praised the Tourism Department and IKA Sports for their efforts to promote adventure, wellness, and eco-friendly tourism in the Jammu region.
Khan added that integrating sports with tourism would help establish Patnitop as a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Highlighting the potential of the area, Qaiser said, “Patnitop has immense scope for adventure and leisure tourism. Events like this not only foster a culture of fitness but also showcase the region’s natural beauty and tourism opportunities. With over 500 participants from across the country, this fifth edition has truly become a grand celebration that will further boost tourism in the hill station.”
