Karachi Marathon marks a significant milestone in Pakistan's burgeoning running culture

Marathon running is rapidly gaining momentum in Pakistan, with an increasing number of enthusiasts taking to the streets to test their endurance and push their limits.

The recent Karachi Marathon marked a significant milestone in Pakistan's burgeoning running culture, as thousands of participants converged on the city's streets to run, cheer and celebrate the joy of movement.

From casual joggers to elite athletes, Pakistanis of all ages and backgrounds are discovering the numerous physical and mental health benefits of long-distance running while also helping Pakistan make its mark on the athletics scene.

The World Athletics-certified Karachi Marathon saw around four thousand men and women participating in different categories and completing the prescribed distances.

Multiple categories were part of the event, including a 42.2-kilometer full marathon, a 21.1-kilometer half marathon and a five-kilometer fun race.

230 athletes participated in the full marathon while more than 600 runners participated in the half marathon.

Director of Karachi Marathon, Shoaib Nizami, in an exclusive conversation with Nukta, said that the large number of people participating in the marathon is proof that the sport is becoming popular among the masses.

“This time the attendance was twice as much as last time and, in order to make the results of the marathon transparent, all the race participants were given chipped bibs following international rules. The start and end of the marathon was recorded by an electronic machine and no one had any objection to the results,” Nizami said.

“A marathon was held in Karachi in the last few years, but it was not of 42.2 km. When our people went to London or Chicago Marathon with the results, they refused to accept it as a marathon because it was not a full marathon. However, now the marathon is certified by the World Athletics,” he added.

In the marathon, Israr Khattak from Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa clinched the top spot by completing the prescribed distance in 2 hours, 30 minutes, 13 seconds.Nukta

People from five to seventy years, including children, old and young men and women, participated in the Karachi Marathon. A number of foreigners also ran during the event from Nishan Pakistan Sea View.

In the marathon, Israr Khattak from Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa clinched the top spot by completing the prescribed distance in 2 hours, 30 minutes, 13 seconds, meanwhile Muhammad Riaz of Bahawalpur came second with 2 hours, 32 minutes, 13 seconds.

The women's marathon was won by Enub Khan with a time of 3 hours, 47 minutes, 49 minutes. In the same event, Zeba Shah Abbasi came second with a time of 4 hours, 1 minute, 13 seconds. Muhammad Qasim Bujoh of Sialkot managed to get the second position with a time of 1 hour, 12 minutes, 53 seconds.

Women's Half Marathon was won by Mumtaz Neemat, an athlete from Gilgit.