Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who ran a half marathon on Sunday, expressed hope that the Kashmir Marathon would become one of the top athletic events in the world in the coming years.

The National Conference leader took to X to share the update and visuals from his impressive run. "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," he said in the post.

"I've never run more than 13 KM in my life & that too only ever once. Today I just kept going, propelled by the enthusiasm of other amateur runners like myself. No proper training, no running plan, no nutrition. Picked up a banana & a couple of khajoor along the way. The best part was running past my home with family & others out to cheer me on," the 54-year-old added in his post.

"I am thankful to the people of Srinagar for the way they came out to encourage the runners. I hope that the Kashmir Marathon becomes one of the top events in the world," Abdullah told reporters here.

The chief minister thanked the organisers and other stakeholders associated with the first-ever international marathon in Kashmir for putting up "such a good show".

"I congratulate everyone who competed in the event. I did not know I would be able to run 21 kilometres as the longest I have run earlier has been 12 or 13 kilometres. But I think running with other athletes pushed me to complete the run," he added.

The Chief Minister recorded himself running with other participants in the marathon along the scenic Dal Lake.

In another post, Mr Abdullah said he clicked lots of selfies along the way and even received appointment requests. What's more, some journalists also tried to grab interviews.

"It was such fun running with others. 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. Let's not forget the enterprising journalists who tried to run along side in the hope of grabbing an interview," he said.

Earlier, Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty, who was with Abdullah at the flagging off ceremony, also expressed similar views on the event.

"This is going to be one of the most participated marathons in the world. Where else can you get to run 42 kilometres in a paradise!" Shetty said.

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