BANDIPORA: Around 3,000 runners, including nearly 200 women, participated in the third edition of the BSF Wular Ultra Run held around Wular Lake in Bandipora district on Sunday, with organisers using the event to promote environmental conservation, sportsmanship and youth engagement.
The event was organised by the Border Security Force (BSF) in collaboration with Krish Fitness Academy under the theme “Save Wular, Run with Bordermen”. It focused on raising awareness about the conservation of Wular Lake, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes and a key ecological and tourism asset of Kashmir.
Inspector General BSF Kashmir Frontier Ashok Yadav flagged off the event in the presence of DIG SHQ BSF Bandipora Sandeep Rawat, representatives of Krish Fitness Academy, senior BSF officers, civil administration officials and other dignitaries.
The 5-kilometre race category was flagged off separately from Nadihal by Additional District Development Commissioner Bandipora Nazir Ahmad Mir and witnessed participation from local youth, residents and professional runners.
The event culminated at Wular Vantage Park in Bandipora, where Deputy Commissioner Indu Kanwal Chib attended the closing function and presided over the prize distribution ceremony.
According to organisers, nearly 4,000 people attended the programme, including runners, BSF personnel, local residents, civil dignitaries, members of various security forces and media representatives.
The competition featured four race categories — a 50-km ultra marathon, 25-km run, 10.5-km run and 5-km run — with participation open to both men and women. The routes passed through areas surrounding Wular Lake, offering participants a view of the region’s natural landscape while reinforcing the message of environmental protection.
During the closing ceremony, winners were felicitated with cash prizes amounting to up to ₹25 lakh, besides certificates and other accolades. A cultural programme was also organised.
Organisers said the initiative aimed to generate greater public awareness about the protection and conservation of Wular Lake and encourage local communities, particularly young people, to participate in environmental conservation, sports and other constructive activities.
The event also served as a platform for identifying emerging sporting talent from the region. Promising athletes were encouraged to pursue further training and development opportunities through programmes such as Khelo India, organisers said.
Addressing the gathering, IG BSF Kashmir Frontier Ashok Yadav acknowledged the contribution of local residents, media organisations, sporting partners, civil administration, sponsors and personnel from various security agencies towards the successful conduct of the event.
Organisers said the annual run was intended to strengthen engagement between security forces and local communities while promoting environmental awareness, youth empowerment, sporting excellence and conservation of Kashmir’s natural heritage.
The event was supported by the District Administration Bandipora, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Choice, Kajaria, J&K Bank, HFCL, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC).
