Pakistan made history on Sunday by hosting its inaugural World Athletics-certified marathon in the bustling city of Karachi.
The event attracted hundreds of athletes, both national and international, promising a unique experience that adhered to international standards, featuring proper routes and benchmarks comparable to renowned marathons in cities like London and Paris.
Despite the scale of the event, the marathon seamlessly integrated into the vibrant pulse of the city, showcasing a harmonious blend of athleticism and urban life. Sohail Amir emerged as the victor in the challenging 42.2-kilometer full marathon, completing the distance in an impressive two hours, 36 minutes, and nine seconds. In the full marathon, Israr Khatak secured the second position, while Aamer Abbas claimed the third spot.
The women’s full marathon saw Mahnoor leading the race, demonstrating the growing participation and excellence of female athletes in such prestigious events. The 21.1-kilometer half marathon was clinched by Hafeezul Barkat, who completed the distance in one hour, 17 minutes, and 12 seconds. Akram secured the second position, with Zaher Shah finishing third in the half marathon.
Noteworthy participants included Muhammad Junaid, a Geo News anchor, who completed a 21.21-kilometer distance in one hour, 47 minutes, and 51 seconds, maintaining an impressive pace of 5:05 km per hour.
Shoaib Nizam, the CEO of Sports in Pakistan, highlighted the significant surge in the popularity of marathon running among Pakistanis over the past eight to ten years. He noted that individuals from the country have actively participated in international marathons such as Berlin, Chicago, London, and Tokyo, inspiring a growing interest and engagement in marathon running within Pakistan. The success of the Karachi marathon reflects the evolving sports culture and enthusiasm for long-distance running in the country.
