Srinagar, Nov 01: With the Kashmir Marathon just hours away, foreign athletes in Srinagar were seen soaking in the beauty of Dal Lake and the surrounding mountains, calling the Valley “one of the most beautiful marathon routes in the world.”
During their media interaction in Srinagar here, the athletes admired the stunning Dal Lake and the snow-capped Zabarwan range that will frame their race on Sunday morning, expressing excitement about running alongside such natural splendour.
Thersia, an Olympic-level runner, said she felt deeply moved by the energy of the Valley.
“The feeling here is very nice,” she said with a smile during the media interaction in Srinagar. “The people are warm and welcoming and it feels peaceful and inspiring.”
Another participant from Denmark said this would be her first half-marathon outside Europe. “It is really beautiful here, the lake, the mountains, everything looks like a painting,” she said. “I am really, really excited about the run.”
Another Danish athlete, who has visited India several times, said Kashmir feels like a new world altogether. “This is my fourth visit to India, but my first time in Kashmir,” she said, adding that the culture and nature here are so different. “Running around the lake will be a wonderful experience.”
Similarly, a runner from the United States, who described himself as a seasoned athlete at 58, said he has participated in marathons across Europe and America, but Kashmir offers something truly unique.
“This is my first time in India and especially in Kashmir,” he said. “I have run in many places, but this valley, you should come to Kashmir. It is breathtaking.”
With the second edition of the Kashmir Marathon set to begin Sunday morning, the runners have expressed immense enthusiasm and excitement ahead of the race—(KNO)
