Pakistan’s Karachi holds first-ever World Athletics-certified marathon, draws crowds of athletes

Runners gesture for a photograph ahead of the Karachi Marathon on January 28, 2024. (Photo courtesy: X/@junaidmuhammadd)

• The event featured 42.2-kilometer, 21.1-kilometer and 5-kilometer categories for the participants
• A large number of men, women and children residing in Karachi also participated in the marathon

KARACHI: Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi hosted on Sunday the country’s first-ever World Athletics-certified marathon, local officials said, adding the event drew both national and international athletes to the megacity.
Karachi Marathon, which was similar to marathons held in London, Paris and other major world cities, offered a seamless blend of athleticism and urban vibrancy as hundreds of participants from all walks of life attended it from the very onset.
Amir Sohail emerged triumphant in the grueling 42.2-kilometer full marathon, crossing the finish line in an impressive two hour, 36 minutes, and nine seconds. Israr Khatak and Aamer Abbas secured the second and third positions, respectively.
The excitement continued in the 21.1-kilometer half marathon, wherein Hafeezul Barkat claimed victory by clocking in at one hour, 17 minutes, and 12 seconds. Mohammad Akram and Zaher Shah finished second and third in the exhilarating race.
“Karachi Marathon has been a superb run,” said Dr. Junaid Ali Shah, Sindh provincial sports minister, adding people of Karachi would always hear about marathons in Tokyo, London, New York and Paris, but today they had their own event. “From today, we will hear about Karachi Marathon.”
Uzman Abid, who has run in Istanbul and Berlin marathons, said it was wonderful to be a part of the marathon in Karachi.
“It is a great achievement for Pakistan to have accredited marathon, full marathon over here today,” she told Arab News. “This is good that Pakistan has finally come on the map [of marathon-organizing countries].”
Abid said runners like her previously had to go abroad to participate in official marathons. “Now we have it on our home ground so why not,” she added.
Besides the full and half marathon, the event featured a 5-kilometer run as well, which was participated in by a large number of residents of the city.
“I enjoyed it a lot” said Ismail Khan, one of the winners of the 5-km category. “The crowd was big, and we enjoyed a lot.”
Mona Khan, a Pakistani journalist who has taken part in international marathons, said such activities should be held in Pakistan more often.
“This is healthy activity, and they should organize these kinds of activities,” she said. “You talk about Karachiites, it was about 6 o’ clock, and all of Karachi was here at this place.”