STATE TIMES NEWS
UDHAMPUR: The fourth edition of Patnitop Marathon, held here on Monday, saw an enthusiastic participation of 600 plus runners and fitness lovers from different parts of the country.
Touted as India’s most beautiful hill race, Patnitop Marathon is an initiative of Iron Man Kapil Arora, an International Tri-Athlete, Ultramarathoner, Fit India ambassador and founder of K.A Sports and Events. He is supported by the Patnitop Development Authority, Directorate of Tourism Jammu, District Administration Udhampur, and Skyview by Empyrean, Patnitop.
The Half Marathon (21.1 kms) was flagged off at 6:00 AM by Saloni Rai, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, as the chief guest, and Brigadier Shantanu Kashyap – Sena Medal, a Kargil War veteran currently serving at the Northern Command, was the guest of honour, along with Joginder Singh Jasrotia, ADC Udhampur, Devender Singh Bhau, CEO PDA, Sunaina Mehta, Joint Director Tourism, Jammu.
Participants in the other categories, the 10 km and 5 km races, were flagged off at 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM respectively. The marathon en-route the stretching Skyview Terrace to Nathatop, offered participants winding trails, scenic views, and a cool morning breeze, making the experience special for runners aged 18 to 55+ years from 48 cities across 12 states.
In the 21.1 km category, the fastest male runners were Ritik Sharma (18-35 years), Vijay Sharma (35-45 years), Hemanshu Prakash (45+ years), and Ajay Gandotra (55+ years). The fastest female runners were Rimpy Devi (18-35 years), Sunita Yadav (35-45 years), and Bhavana Salathia (45+ years).
In the 10 km category, the fastest male runners were Brij Bhushan (18-35 years), Abhishek Sharma (35-45 years), Mohd Yahya Khan (45+ years), and Anil Katoch (55+ years). The fastest female runners were Mandeep Kaur (18-35 years), Prerna Sharma (35-45 years), Manminder Kaur (45+ years), and Rekha Katoch (55+ years).
The DC Udhampur appreciated the spirit of the participants and remarked, “Events like these emphasize the importance of fitness and celebrate the beauty of sports. They lead us towards a culture of healthy living that is in harmony with nature, while promoting our tourism potential.
Devender Singh Bhau, CEO PDA, said, “The growing popularity of the Patnitop Marathon, held under ‘Visit Patnitop’ series, demonstrates the appeal of Patnitop Tourism Circuit among adventure enthusiasts throughout the country. More such events, which integrate wellness and sustainable tourism, shall be encouraged.
The marathon featured notable members of India’s running community and was co-sponsored by P-Mark, Ujala Cygnus, Cult Fit, Gold Gym, Hexamed, and Take One Digital Media among others.