Srinagar: Kenyan runners Kanab Kalob Omolo and Lemensa Harpaa clinched the men’s and women’s full marathon titles, respectively, at the third edition of the Kashmir International Marathon held in Srinagar on Sunday.
However, it was Kulsum from Gujrat, who ran while carrying a child in her arms, who emerged as one of the event’s most striking highlights.
Another participant who drew attention was Shivam Kumar from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a specially-abled runner without both arms.
Their participation added an inspiring dimension to the sporting spectacle, which brought together runners from Jammu and Kashmir, other parts of the country and abroad to celebrate endurance, fitness and sporting spirit, details accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reveal.
In the men’s full marathon open category, Omolo secured the first position, followed by Hamington Kinaro Cherub in second and Jacob Kabacholi in third.
In the women’s full marathon, Harpaa finished first, while Sheren Jimilo secured second place and Monika Vanjohi finished third.
*Half Marathon Winners*
In the men’s half marathon, Leme Teshong Lemantso claimed the first position, followed by Barko Bayasa Bakale in second and Sambol Eric Kanguso in third.
In the women’s half marathon, Ankita finished first, Saha Deslin Adana secured second place and Helen Motino Megonor finished third.
*J&K Local Winners*
In the men’s full marathon local category, Kulbir Singh secured first place, followed by Waseem Ahmad Dar in second and Ragav Sharma in third.
In the women’s local full marathon category, Neha Dewi claimed the top spot, followed by Diksha in second and Salma Bedi in third.
In the men’s local half marathon, Mohammad Yaseen Mir finished first, Rajit Sharma second and Parveen Kumar third.
In the women’s local half marathon, Keriti Dewi secured first place, followed by Sakshi Thakur in second and Shamshad Bano in third.
The third edition of the Kashmir International Marathon featured a 42 kilometre full marathon and a 21-kilometre half marathon. A total of 1,807 runners registered online for the event, including 1,221 participants from Jammu and Kashmir, 513 from other parts of the country and 73 foreign athletes representing 12 countries.—(KNO)
