At a glance
- Edition
- 3rd edition
- Race day
- Sunday 25 October 2026
- Where
- Polo View, Srinagar (start and finish)
- Distances
- Full 42.195 km, half 21.0975 km
- Entry fees
- ₹2,200 full, ₹1,800 half
- Minimum age
- 18
- Elevation gain
- about 960 m
- Course
- AIMS-certified
- Organiser
- Tourism Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir
- Prize pool
- ₹3.21 crore
Registration
Entries are taken only on the official event website. For this edition the organisers set a final deadline of 15 October 2026, with no further extension. They may also close entries early if places fill.
To register you create an account with your mobile number or email, verify it with a one-time code, complete the form and pay the fee. Your entry counts only once payment is made and you receive a confirmation by email or SMS.
- No qualifying time is needed. Runners must be 18 or older and in good health.
- Apply once only. Duplicate, false or incomplete applications are rejected, and the fee is not refunded.
- No separate fee is listed for international runners.
Categories and cut-offs
| Race | Distance | Cut-off | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full marathon | 42.195 km | 7 hours | ₹2,200 |
| Half marathon | 21.0975 km | 3 hours | ₹1,800 |
Cut-offs are the same for every age group. Your official result is your net (chip) time, provided you finish within the cut-off. Age-group places are decided on chip time and open-category places on gun time.
Age groups
| Age group | Date of birth |
|---|---|
| 18–35 | 26 Oct 1990 to 25 Oct 2008 |
| 36–49 | 26 Oct 1976 to 25 Oct 1990 |
| 50 and over | On or before 25 Oct 1976 |
The organisers’ prize table labels the middle group 36–50; their category rules say 36–49. The date-of-birth ranges above are taken from the official prize rules.
The course
Both races start and finish at Polo View in central Srinagar. The route runs by Dal Lake along Boulevard Drive towards Nishat Garden and Hazratbal Shrine, mixing flat stretches with hilly sections for a total climb of about 960 metres. Expect chinar-lined avenues, the Mughal gardens and views of the Zabarwan Range.
The course is AIMS-certified: both distances were measured by an AIMS/IAAF-accredited course measurer. Aid stations at regular intervals offer water, energy drinks and medical help, with medical teams on the course and at the start and finish.
The organisers have not yet published the running order of landmarks or the official start times.
Expo and kit collection
Collect your race bib and timing chip at the expo in the Indoor Hall, Polo Ground, Srinagar, from 22–24 October 2026, 10:00 to 17:00. Bring your registration confirmation and a valid government photo ID.
The expo also hosts Kashmiri food (from rogan josh and yakhni to kahwa and noon chai), live Rouf, Hafiza and Bhand Pather performances, handicrafts such as pashmina, carpets, papier-mâché and walnut-wood carving, and help desks for route and race-day questions.
Race-day rules
- Your bib is yours alone. Pin it to the front of your top, fully visible and unfolded. Running with someone else’s bib means disqualification and a ban from future editions.
- Follow the marked course and the instructions of officials, marshals, volunteers and medical staff.
- Only run if you are medically fit. The organisers advise people with chronic conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure not to take part, and may remove anyone unfit to continue.
- Disclose any pre-existing medical condition when you register. You run at your own risk, and personal insurance is recommended.
- By taking part you agree to be photographed and filmed for the event’s promotion.
- The organisers may change the date, route or start times, or cancel the event for severe weather or other unforeseen reasons. Their decisions are final.
Refunds
Entry fees are not refundable or transferable under any circumstances. If the race is postponed or cancelled, your entry moves to the new date.
Prize money
The total prize pool is ₹3.21 crore (Full marathon ₹2.15 crore, half marathon ₹1.06 crore). Men and women receive identical prize amounts. Amounts are in Indian rupees.
Full marathon
| Category | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall (open) | 25,00,000 | 20,00,000 | 18,00,000 | 15,00,000 | 12,00,000 |
| 18–35 | 1,00,000 | 75,000 | 50,000 | – | – |
| 36–50 | 1,00,000 | 75,000 | 50,000 | – | – |
| 50 and over | 1,00,000 | 75,000 | 50,000 | – | – |
| J&K residents | 4,00,000 | 3,00,000 | 2,00,000 | – | – |
Half marathon
| Category | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall (open) | 15,00,000 | 12,00,000 | 9,00,000 | 6,00,000 | 3,00,000 |
| 18–35 | 75,000 | 50,000 | 25,000 | – | – |
| 36–50 | 75,000 | 50,000 | 25,000 | – | – |
| 50 and over | 75,000 | 50,000 | 25,000 | – | – |
| J&K residents | 2,00,000 | 1,00,000 | 50,000 | – | – |
- Results are provisional until verified by race officials and the timing team.
- Winners sign a declaration and may be asked for original ID and proof of age.
- Prizes are paid by cheque or bank transfer within 30 working days of the results being ratified.
- Indian income tax applies, and any tax deducted is borne by the winner.
Weather and what to wear
October in Srinagar is cool and mostly clear. Daytime temperatures usually sit between 10 and 20 °C (50–68 °F), and early mornings can fall close to freezing. Rain is unlikely but possible, so check the forecast in race week.
- Dress in layers: a moisture-wicking base, a light fleece or jacket, and a windproof, waterproof shell for the start.
- Wear shoes you have already broken in, with moisture-wicking socks.
- Bring a cap, sunglasses and sunscreen for the daytime sun, plus gels or bars and your emergency contact details.
Phone and SIM
Prepaid SIM cards from other Indian states may not work in Kashmir. Use a postpaid connection, or buy a postpaid SIM from an Airtel, BSNL or Jio store with valid ID. International visitors need a passport, visa and passport photos.
Getting there
The quickest way in is by air: several daily flights connect Delhi with Srinagar’s Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport (SXR), about 1 hour 30 minutes in the air. By road, the main route from Delhi is NH44, with private and state buses. Rail options are changing, so check current services before you plan around the train.
Where to stay
The organisers say registered runners can get discounted rates at participating hotels by showing their registration confirmation. Their hotel list is published on the official site, and meals are usually not included.
If you want help finding a hotel, houseboat or guesthouse that suits your dates, budget and group, send us your requirements and we will come back with options.
Contact the organisers
For entries, results and anything official, contact the organisers directly. We are an independent publication and cannot change registrations.
- Directorate of Tourism Kashmir, Tourism Building, M.A. Road, near TRC, Srinagar
- Email: marathonkashmir@gmail.com
- Phone: 0194-2502512, 8899941010, 8899931010
Sources: kashmirmarathon.jk.gov.in pages for registration, race information, full and half marathon, certification, expo, prize money, prize rules, runners’ guidelines, how to reach, hotel accommodation and FAQs, all checked 14 October 2026.