Suhail Rather

Bandipora, Sept 9 (KNS) : Three young local athletes under the banner of Team Pathfinders successfully completed a 42-kilometre full marathon from Razdan Pass to Dawar in Gurez Valley, braving thin air, steep gradients and heavy rains.

The high-altitude sky run, attempted for the first time on this route, was led by Tanveer Khan, popularly known as Tanikhan, along with teammates Jalal and Mir Danish. The marathon began yesterday morning at Razdan Top (3,550 metres) after mandatory security clearances and concluded at Dawar (2,560 metres) in five hours and forty minutes.

“The run was not just about stamina; it was about spirit and survival,” one of the team members said, describing the challenge of running amid low oxygen levels, rugged terrain and rapidly changing weather conditions.

The trio began before dawn, navigating the iconic Gurez road that remains out of bounds for most outsiders due to its proximity to the Line of Control.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe initial downhill stretch offered some relief but gave way to undulating terrain, testing their endurance.

By the 30-kilometre mark, fatigue had set in, with muscle cramps and energy depletion compounding the strain. The challenge intensified as a steady drizzle turned into heavy rain, making the roads slippery and the final stretch gruelling. Yet, the runners pressed on, cheered by locals as they entered Dawar drenched but victorious.

“This was more than a marathon—it was a test of grit,” said Tanveer Khan, who spearheaded the attempt. “We wanted to prove that our mountains are not just for trekking but can also host high-altitude endurance sports.”

The Pathfinders’ successful Razdan-to-Dawar sky run has opened new possibilities for adventure and sporting tourism in Gurez, with locals hailing the effort as a moment of pride for the valley. (KNS)