KARACHI: As Karachi wakes up to the rhythmic sound of the waves on the Sea Wave, groups of runners from all walks of life can be seen running through the streets, their breaths synchronizing with their footsteps. are
They are preparing for an event that has not only brought the city together but also put Pakistan on the international marathon map. The Karachi Marathon, scheduled for January 5, 2025, promises to be a celebration of endurance, determination and community.
For several months, Karachi’s streets, parks and promenades have been transformed into training grounds. Seasoned marathoners and first-timers alike gather in groups, pushing each other to new limits.
And, as the clock ticks and waits for the Karachi Marathon, the runners are getting excited. For many people, running is not just a challenge; It is a celebration of endurance.
Various running groups meet regularly across the city, with one of the most popular training spots being Seaview, where long-distance running is a weekend ritual. These training sessions bring together participants from all walks of life — men and women, young and old — all working hard to prepare for the marathon.
‘Great opportunity’
Shoaib Nizami, race director of the Karachi Marathon, emphasized how important this year’s event is. “This year, the Karachi Marathon is a label race, which means runners here will be eligible to qualify for other runs,” Nizami said.
This is the first time in Pakistan that local runners will have the opportunity to qualify for an international race like the Abbotts Age Group Championship. We have seen almost double the participation of last year, and there are also a large number of female participants. This is a great opportunity for our runners, especially those hoping to compete in a race like the Boston Marathon.”
‘Symbol of Positivity’, ‘Great Platform’
Among the first-timers is Mustansar Bandukwala, in his late 50s, who took up running after a history of hiking. “I’m training for a half marathon, and even though it’s a challenge, the support from the community has been amazing. The good weather here has made it easy to prepare, and the energy from fellow runners makes it even more motivating.” The crowd at the marathon will be a huge morale booster on race day, he said, adding.
Another first-time marathoner, Mazhar Walji, 66, sees the event as a sign of positivity for Karachi. “Karachi Marathon is recognized as an international marathon, and it is a great honor for us,” Walji said.
“In a city that is often surrounded by negativity, this event sends a positive message about Pakistan and Karachi. Seeing so many young people running and preparing inspired me to get involved. I Also running to support The Citizens Foundation, which adds more purpose to my journey.”
Next is 72-year-old Feroz Rizvi, the oldest runner in the group, who plans to complete his first half-marathon. “At my age, it’s not easy to accept this challenge, but I’m optimistic. The most important thing is to finish, whether I meet the time limit or not. I’m running for a charity, and That’s what keeps me going,” said Rizvi, who believes staying active is the key to aging gracefully. “Once you retire, it’s easy to give up, but you have to keep going . As they say, ‘move it or lose it.’
At the other end of the spectrum is Kokb Sarwar, an avid female runner who has already completed four major world marathons. Sarwar said, “Running is my passion.
“It’s about challenging yourself and achieving your goals. Karachi Marathon is a great opportunity for local runners as not everyone can afford to travel abroad for an international marathon. This event is a great opportunity for local runners. will act as a support system and give everyone a chance to shine.
For Reena Ibrahim, who is running a marathon for the first time, running has been a journey of self-discovery. “When I started, I could not even run a kilometer but now I am running 30+ kilometers,” Ibrahim said.
“This journey has been very empowering, and I’m excited to see what I can do at the Karachi Marathon. I’ve received coaching, and the running community has been a huge motivator. In the beginning, I was inspired by music. I used to run alone, but my coach advised me to listen to my body and the people around me. Running with others made training so much easier.
Another female runner from Karachi, Hina Malik, is also participating in the full marathon for the first time after covering a distance of 5 km to 42.195 km.
“I started running for myself, and last year’s Karachi Marathon inspired me to push my limits. Watching senior runners inspires me, and when you realize how far you’ve come. , so it gives you a great sense of accomplishment. I’m looking forward to crossing that finish line, and then the journey continues with the international marathon,” Malik said.
Uzma, a veteran runner and coach, spoke about the change she’s seeing in the local running community. “The excitement this year is unlike anything we’ve seen before,” he said.
“The increased participation shows that more people are choosing to run as part of their lives. The discipline required to train for a marathon motivates me, and I ran a half marathon last year. Ready to take part in a full marathon this time after finishing.”
For seasoned runners like Amjad Ali, marathons provide an opportunity to push personal limits. “I started with 5,000 meters at the hockey club under Talib Sahib’s coaching, and since then, I’ve been aiming for sub-3-hour marathons,” Ali said. “I recently ran a personal best of 2:49 in Istanbul, and I’m looking forward to improving even more in Karachi. You know your training, and on race day, you just have to stick to your plan. Action must be taken.”
A marathoner with extensive experience in international races, Sadiq Shah is equally enthusiastic about the international recognition of the Karachi Marathon. “It’s a great platform for everyone who loves running,” Shah said. “I’ve done marathons all over the world, and the Karachi Marathon is on its way to becoming one of the greats.” It’s not just about physical strength; You also need mental toughness. Mental preparation is what gets you through those last few kilometers.”
Another local runner Shah Faisal emphasized the special importance of the event held in Karachi. “I grew up running on these roads, so I’m fully prepared,” Faisal said. “There’s less stress when you’re racing in your hometown. The running community here is growing, and I’m proud to be a part of that movement. I want to see everyone involved in the Karachi Marathon.”
Ali Bakai, a runner who started his marathon journey just two years ago, shares his inspiring story. “I started running for fitness, but this April, I decided to take it further and train for a marathon,” Bokai explained. “I ran a half marathon on Independence Day, and now I’m aiming for a full marathon. It’s a completely different challenge. I’ve been building up to shorter distances, and my last training run was 36km, which brought me closer to my goal psychologically. You need to be fit, but most of the game is in your head. When you’re running with a goal in mind, you Keep reminding, and it will keep you going is.”
As race day approaches, the Karachi Marathon stands as a testament to the resilience of the city and the growing passion for running among its residents. With its World Athletics certification and inclusion in the global race calendar, this marathon is more than just a race. It is a celebration of Karachi’s diversity, its people and their unwavering determination to move forward.
For many of these runners, the marathon is just the beginning. Whether tackling their first race or aiming for a personal best, the passion of the Karachi Marathon is about pushing boundaries, setting goals and achieving greatness. When they hit the streets of Karachi, they will carry with them the energy of a city that refuses to run away.