Sunday witnessed Pakistan’s inaugural World Athletics-certified Marathon in Karachi, which attracted hundreds of local and international athletes.
The event seamlessly integrated into the city’s rhythm and mirrored the standards of major global marathons like those in London and Paris, featuring precise routes and benchmarks.
Sohail Amir triumphed in the 42.2-kilometer full marathon, completing it in two hours, 36 minutes, and nine seconds. He was followed by Israr Khatak and Aamer Abbas, who placed second and third, respectively. Mahnoor led the women’s full marathon.
Hafeezul Barkat won the 21.1-kilometer half marathon, finishing in one hour, 17 minutes, and 12 seconds. Akram and Zaher Shah claimed the second and third spots in this category, respectively.
A participant completed the half marathon in one hour, 47 minutes, and 51 seconds, maintaining a pace of 5:05 km per hour.
Shoaib Nizam from Pakistan highlighted the growing popularity of marathon running over the last eight to ten years. He noted that Pakistanis’ increasing participation in international marathons, such as those in Berlin, Chicago, London, and Tokyo, spurred local interest in the sport.
