Omar Abdullah runs 21-km half-marathon ‘for a drug-free J&K’

Days after being sworn in as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah made headlines on Sunday (October 20) — not for any political reason but for a personal feat of running the Kashmir Half Marathon. Abdullah, leader of the National Conference, took to X to proudly share his milestone — running an impressive 21 km along the scenic Dal Lake in two hours flat.

"Today, I’m so pleased with myself," Abdullah wrote in his post. "I completed the Kashmir Half Marathon — 21 KM at an average pace of 5 minutes 54 seconds per kilometre." He admitted that this was the longest distance he had ever run, having previously only covered 13 km once before.

Encouraged by the energy of his fellow amateur runners, Abdullah managed to complete the course without any formal training or a nutrition plan, picking up a banana and a few dates along the way. He mentioned that the most memorable part was running past his home, where his family and supporters cheered him on.

In another light-hearted post, the 54-year-old shared how the marathon turned into an impromptu meet-and-greet. "I took loads of selfies and even had a few appointment requests along the way," he said, adding that some journalists even attempted to interview him mid-run.

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Abdullah used the occasion to promote running as a stress-reliever, suggesting that physical activity could be a natural alternative to drugs. "You don’t need drugs to feel good or beat stress. A good run — whether a kilometre or a marathon — can give you a natural high. I encourage everyone to start running for a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir."

Responding to an ANI post about poor air quality in Delhi’s half-marathon, Abdullah extended an invitation to runners. "Come to Kashmir next time — the air is better, and the views are stunning," he quipped.

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During the day, Abdullah also flagged off Kashmir’s first-ever International Marathon from Srinagar’s Polo Stadium, where Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty was in attendance. Shetty pointed out the importance of the event, noting that it sends a positive message to the world that Kashmir is not just a destination for visitors but also a place for international events.

Abdullah’s second term as chief minister comes after the National Conference-Congress alliance’s recent victory in the first Assembly elections since Jammu and Kashmir lost its special status. The alliance secured 48 seats in the 90-member Assembly, with the BJP trailing behind at 29 seats.