Srinagar, Oct 29 (HS): More than 3,000 people took part in the J&K Police’s annual cycle race in Srinagar on Thursday, Additional Director General of Police (Armed) Nitish Kumar said, adding that the turnout shows how aware people in Kashmir have become of fitness and health.

Speaking to reporters soon after the race began, Kumar said around 5,000 entries had been received. “As you can see, more than 3,000 people have participated,” he said. He said the event included separate categories for children, women and people above the age of 45, and that even very small children had come to take part. One child, he said, even arrived in a cradle.

“This is a very auspicious opportunity, and it shows how people have become aware of fitness in Kashmir and how people are passionate about health,” Kumar said.

He said a concluding ceremony will be held at the Police Golf Course after the race, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha as the chief guest. All participants and the winners will be awarded at the ceremony, he said. Kumar congratulated everyone who helped make the event a success.

The race, titled “Pedal Through Paradise” and held under the Fit India initiative, had been postponed from September 27. The police had announced the postponement a day earlier, saying a new date would be announced later.

A day before the race, Deputy Inspector General of Armed Police Maqsood-ul-Zaman said around 4,000 cyclists had registered, on-spot registration was available, and cash prizes worth Rs 6 lakh would be given to the winners.

According to a traffic advisory, the race was held on routes from Lalit Ghat (Police Golf Course) to Nagbal Chowk via Foreshore Road, and from Lalit Ghat to Harwan via Shalimar, with Boulevard Road closed to general traffic from 7 AM until the end of the event.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat