SRINAGAR – Continuing his supremacy in the field of long distance running of State, Reyaz Ahmad of J&K Police wrote his name in the history books by becoming champion of 1st 42-Km Srinagar Marathon held here on Friday.
The event was organised by J&K Sports Development Association (JKSDA) and it was flagged off by President TAAK, Rouf Ahmad Tramboo at Jamia Masjid Gojwara.
In the event selected 12 top athletes, of State participated. It was first time that full marathon involving 42-kilometres was held in Valley. It took Reyaz Ahmad 2 hours 43 minutes to complete distance while last competitor completed distance in 3 hours.
At prize distribution, JK Bank Executive President and Chairman Sports Board, Taffazul Hussain was the chief guest.
The route of the event involved both old city and civil lines. The event was flagged off near Jamia Masjid Gojwara and passed through Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal, Bohrikadal, Police Station Khanyar, Nowhatta, Gojwara, Hawal, back to Nowhatta, Kathi Darwaza, Saidakadal, Rainawari, Sheeraz Chowk, Babademb, Polo Ground, MA Road, Fly Over, back to MA Road, Dalgate, Nehru Park, Oberio Crossing, Nishat, Foreshore Road and culminated at Kashmir Harvard School Malabagh.
It was rare seen for both competitors and on lookers to see such an event passing through these places. In old city area, competition was neck to neck. Till it reached Flyover Jehnagir Chowk athletes started to feel heat and those who had extra bit of stamina left in them started to push to get an early lead.
At Dalgate Muzaffer ran away from rest of the group while Reyaz and Tanveer also managed to move ahead from rest of the competitors. At Nishat Reyaz sprinted ahead of Muzaffer and maintained that lead till the end. He finished first with the timing of 2:43:00 minutes while Muzaffer of SAM Degree College Budgam finished second with the timing of 2:50:00. Tanveer Hussain of J&K Bank finished third with the timing of 2:52:00. Mudasir Nazir Bhat finished fourth while as Younis Parray finished fifth. Nissar Ahmad, Ishtiyaq Bhat and Reyaz Wani finished sixth, seventh and eight respectively. Meraj, Adil, Hilal Sofi and Tassaduq finished ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th respectively.
Hailing the participants for competing in the historic event, Taffazul Hussain said, I congratulate players and JKSDA for organising the first ever full marathon in the Valley. It is not small thing to run 42-kilometres in this chilly winter season. They deserve applause and players have proved today that we have got lot of talent in the long distance running.
I assure both organisers and players that we at J&K Bank are always ready for the upliftment of the sports in the State. Whenever you need any help or support you are welcome at J&K Bank, he said.
Umer Tramboo while speaking on the occasion said, We need to organise more such events like this. In our State youth has taken to lot of social evils, like drug abuse and it is only events like this that can take them away from all these evils.
We at TCI are working for the eradication of social evils and will be glad to be part of events like this one in future, he said.
The President TAAK and well known adventurer, Rouf Tramboo also spoke on the occasion and said, Our State has got lot of potential for the sporting events like cycling, athletics and adventure sports. Only thing needed is promotion and support to organisers.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
ACT NOW |
MONTHLY | Rs 100 | |
YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |