Running
Karachi Marathon 2024: A Symphony of Sweat, Cheers, and Wings
The inaugural Karachi Marathon took over the City of Lights for a vibrant celebration of running, marking historic victories and an unprecedented collective adrenaline rush.
In a city where the rhythm of life never misses a beat, something extraordinary hit the streets this last weekend - the Karachi Marathon 2024, a first-of-its-kind, full-scale running fiesta certified by the World Athletics Organization. Imagine the streets of Karachi transformed into a vibrant tapestry of determined runners, enthusiastic cheers, and a hint of Red Bull-powered exhilaration.
Runners at the Starting Line
© Sports in Pakistan
Clifton's Nishan-e-Pakistan became the launching pad for the runners, as they headed southeast towards Emaar, before looping back. One loop was about 21.1km, the distance of a half marathon. Two loops completed the full marathon. A coastal route adventure, where runners took a scenic tour of Karachi's iconic landmarks, turning every kilometre into a triumph against the wind. But this wasn't just a race; it was a celebration of firsts.
Now, let's talk categories - not one, not two, but four! There's the Full Marathon, a gruelling 42.2 km of sheer determination. The Half Marathon, a 21.1 km party for recreational runners and those eyeing the big leagues. Throw in the Marathon Rally, a team-up event for a collaborative running experience, and a 5 km sprint for the sprinters-at-heart. To fun it up a bit, add in the one-mile festive run for the little champs from schools across the city.
Runners Competing in the Children's Race Category
© Sports in Pakistan
Shoaib Nizami, CEO of Sports in Pakistan, said, “For an agency focusing primarily on distance running and cycling, a certified, international standard full marathon was a major milestone. In the four years since our inception, we have organized numerous running and cycling events. The Karachi Marathon was the fruit of all this accumulated experience.”
He continued, “The timing of the event had to be professional, so we contacted an internationally renowned timing company whose technology has been used in the Olympics, NASCAR, Boston Marathon, and Ironman triathlon events. Representatives of the company were present at the event from Malaysia and monitoring the timing system.”
He added that apart from the full and half marathon events, relay event was also offered. “This consisted of a team of four participants covering the 42.2km distance, with each team member running 10.55km,” he shared. “A 5km non-competitive run was also organized to attract families and school-going kids. A free-of-cost Kids Run was organized for children under the age of 13.”
Red Bull, the winged companion of the bold and the brave, joined the party as the official beverage partner.
Red Bull has been a consistent collaborator with Sports in Pakistan. It has featured as a hydration and energy partner at many of our past events such as the National Road Cycling Championships and Karachi Duathlon. The collaboration with Red Bull came about to bring more visibility and support to the Karachi Marathon. The company helped us reach a wider audience, attract more participants, secure resources, and enhance the overall experience for all those involved.
Participant during Karachi Marathon
© Sports in Pakistan
The Crown-bearers of Full Marathon
In the Full Marathon, Sohail Amir won in men’s category with Israr Khatak and Amir Abbas as the first and second runners-up.
Sohail, 25, is a full-time runner and have been an active participant in all the Marathons happening around the country. Starting athletics at the age of 17 in 2016, he had won the Lahore Marathon and many other local competitions. For him, winning Karachi Marathon was an achievement in his career. “This was the first time I ran at a World Athletics Certified course, and I wanted to give my best, so I prepared for this well,” said Sohail who travelled from Sahiwal to Karachi to take part in this Marathon.
It was a course certified by World Athletics. It will be very beneficial for me for the future because it will certify me and based on this, I will be able to play and participate on an international level.
For him, this being the second Marathon of his career, it was the toughest one so far, but he completed it with great courage and determination.
Winners of the 5K Run
© Sports in Pakistam
In the Full Marathon women’s category, Mahnoor Fatima came out victorious, with Umaira Sheeraz and Farhat Batool ranking second and third respectively.
Mahnoor Fatima, a 19-year-old student pursuing a diploma in physical education, has a background as a national player for the 5 and 10 km races but now she’s shown her chops in a full marathon too.
“Although it was a challenging endeavour, the experience was incredibly rewarding. The difficulty of running a full 42 km marathon tested not only my physical strength but also my mental resilience. It was the power of will that propelled me forward and enabled me to endure the entirety of the race,” she said.
She added that participating in such an event for the first time exposed her to a unique set of challenges.
I am passionate about encouraging women, especially young girls, to engage in sports and physical activities. My goal is to inspire them to become mentally and physically strong.
Mahnoor Fatima Celebrating Her Victory
© Sports in Pakistan
While acknowledging the numerous challenges that women may face, she believes that with proper training, dedication, and determination, any woman can overcome these obstacles. “Training for a 42 km run is essential, as inadequate preparation can lead to physical strain and issues such as cramps,” she said.
“During my marathon, around the 30 km mark, I began to experience intense pain in my feet. Despite the discomfort, I persevered, drawing strength from my training and the mental and physical fitness I had cultivated over time. It was a testament to the importance of consistent preparation and the resilience required to push through the toughest moments.”
The Half Marathon Champions
For the Half Marathon, Hafeez ul Barakat won in the men’s category, with Mohammad Akram and Zahir Shah as the first and second runners-up.
To the surprise of many, the winner of men’s Half Marathon is a 10th grader. Hafeez comes from a humble background, hailing from a village located near Faisalabad, where his passion for athletics had been his driving force since he was young.
Despite facing the early loss of my father, athletics has been my solace, and my dream is to represent Pakistan on the global stage.
“Last year, I participated in a marathon and secured a commendable position in the 10-kilometer race. This year, I am thrilled to clinch the first position in the 21-kilometer race. My coaches, Shamshad Ali and Muhammad Ijaz, played a pivotal role in motivating and training me for the past five years, specifically focusing on half marathons,” he said.
Training primarily at his school ground and at the road along the canal, he found it to be a fulfilling experience. “The recent marathon in Karachi was a grand event, attracting athletes from various regions. Although resources were limited, my coaches facilitated my travel and ensured the smooth organization of my participation,” he shared.
“While I have secured second and third positions in previous races across Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, and Islamabad, winning first place in Karachi has ignited a new level of motivation. I am determined to train harder, improve my skills, and aim for victory in the full marathon next year,” he added.
On the other hand, Mumtaz Naimat won the women’s Half Marathon, with Dua Nazakat and Sarah Munir ranking second and third respectively.
Mumtaz Naimat, who is originally from Gilgit Baltistan, came to Karachi for her higher education. Alongside her studies, she has been actively participating in sports since 2018. Initially, her interest began with football, however, she eventually transitioned to athletics in 2021 on the advice of her “football coach who believed I was better suited for track and field.”
In November of the same year, she competed in the national games, securing positions in the 5 km 10 km races. “In 2023, I took part in the national championship in Attock (Punjab), winning a bronze medal in both the 10 km and 5 km races. I continued my participation in various athletics events in Karachi and throughout Pakistan, consistently delivering strong performances,” she said.
“The most recent challenge I undertook was the Karachi Marathon, covering a distance of 21 km. This was a significant personal challenge, as I had previously only participated in 10 km races. To my delight, I finished in the first position,” she added.
She lauded what she called was a well-organized event by the committee.
During the race, I made sure to stay hydrated, primarily relying on Red Bull for the necessary energy boost. Additionally, I consumed chocolate to maintain my sugar levels throughout the journey
The winners received a prize money to keep them motivated and support their training and future athletics competitions. Shoaib Nizami, said “We wanted to attract the best runners from Pakistan, so a handsome allotment of cash prizes was set aside for the top finishers in the full and half marathons. As an affirmation of equality, the value of the cash prizes was kept the same for both male and female participants.”
Prize Distribution Ceremony at the Karachi Marathon
© Sports in Pakistan
So, Karachi, this wasn't just a marathon; it was a symphony of sweat, cheers, and wings! The Karachi Marathon 2024 - where the city ran, and history was made one step at a time.