Minister for Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation & Flood Control, Sukhnandan Kumar flagged off Kashmir’s first international half marathon, “Big Kashmir Marathon” here at Kashmir University (KU) on Sunday Morning.The marathon was organized by FM channel “92.7 Big FM” in collaboration with Communication and Capacity Development Unit (CCDU) of Department Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control and other private players.The main aim of marathon was to raise awareness on various social issues including importance of following road traffic regulation, conservation of water, keeping environment clean, and respecting elders.Along with thousands of participants coming from various walks of society the runners from countries like Kenya, and Ethiopia also participated in the event.
The participants who started their run from the KU’s Sir Syed Gate were supposed to run up to Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) and to return back to the same starting point in the university.According to the FM officials more than 30,000 people, had registered with them to participate in the event.Besides, the PHE Minister, the important official dignitaries who attended the function included Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, Secretary PHE Parvez Ahmed Malik, Secretary Tourism Farooq Shah, Inspector General Traffic J P Singh, Executive Director CCDU, Rajiv Malhotra, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Javid Jaffar, Director School Education, Kashmir, Shah Faisal, Principal Women’s College.Later a “Dream Run” was also held from the same venue where again women, children, old and young participated.