Hundreds of enthusiastic youth on Tuesday took part in an Army-sponsored marathon near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir‘sPoonch district, officials said.Commander of Bhimber Gali Brigade, Brigadier Rahul Kumar, flagged off the marathon and encouraged the youth to adopt fitness as a way of life and consider a future in the armed forces.

An Army official said the marathon was part of the second edition of Mendhar festival, which commenced on November 23 and is scheduled to end on December 11.Despite the challenging terrain and sensitive location, the event witnessed participation of more than 1,500 runners from across the region, the official said.Beyond fitness, the marathon also emerged as a powerful medium for strengthening the civil-military coordination, he said.“The event reflected how sports can act as a bridge between the armed forces and the local population, reinforcing harmony and shared pride in nation-building,” he said.For the youth of Mendhar and surrounding villages, the official said, the marathon provided a valuable platform for exposure and confidence-building in the field of sports.