KARACHI: Some 7,000 runners from across Pakistan and more than 120 international participants representing more than 25 countries were up, stretching and warming up on Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue even before the sun rose. They were all there for the third BYD Karachi Marathon, from AK Khan Park in Nishan-i-Pakistan to DHA Club, with various distances and laps marked for the race categories, here on Sunday.
There was a men’s and women’s category for the full marathon, which spanned 42.195 km. A relay also featuring the same distance, although split into four parts for four team members, saw each of them cover a distance of around 10.5km.
A 21.1km half marathon also saw many enthusiastic participants, although the largest number of runners, including women, children and elderly runners, were seen in the 5km fun run designed for beginners and community groups. While all other categories started at 6:30 a.m., the 5K fun run started at 10:00 a.m.
According to Shoaib Nizami, CEO of Pakistan Sports and race director, the individual race time of each registered runner was recorded.
“So those who started a few minutes late don’t have to worry,” he said. Dawn.
“Participants’ progress can also be checked via an app. There are also radio frequency identification (RFID) chips in their bibs,” he added.
Yet most runners weren’t really looking for glory, as many of them said they weren’t there to win but to finish the race, or just for fun and not a tough competition.
And yet there were runners like nine-year-old Kainat Khalil, eager to take on some tough competition. Even after the National Games fiasco where she was banned from running the 5,000m after winning bronze in the 10,000m, she was entered in the half marathon.
Of course, by achieving the best time there, she was discovered again and finally received an honorary prize. Organizers criticized her coach for doing an injustice to such a young child by signing her up for long races.
“The body of a nine-year-old child is not yet ready to take on such endurance challenges. The age limit for the full marathon is 13 and above,” it was emphasized.
Meanwhile, the top male and female full marathon runners, Israr Khattak (2 hours, 59 minutes and 58 seconds) and Sara Lodhi (3 hours, 33 minutes and 51 seconds), received more than the Rs 500,000 purse.
The official marathon partners announced that in line with Vision 2032, which aims to prepare Pakistani runners to qualify and compete in the Olympics, they will sponsor them to participate in this year’s London Marathon.
While thanking the organizers and sponsors, Israr said he was happy to have won the marathon even though he fell slightly behind his last year’s time of 2:30:13.
Sara, who had come from Dubai to run the marathon, her first in Karachi but 11th overall, said she loved Karachi’s beachside running environment, with people of all ages participating in the different distance marathons, running alongside her.
In addition to the Rs 500,000 for first place, there was Rs 250,000 for second place and Rs 125,000 for third places in the full marathon.
In the relay category, Dalmia Strike team was the first to win the first prize of Rs50,000, with Zamaray Athletics being second to receive Rs 30,000 and The Young Incredibles third to win the prize of Rs 20,000.
In the men’s half marathon category, Mohammad Akhtar (1 hour, 19 minutes and 29 seconds) finished first, Atta Us Samad finished second (1 hour, 19 minutes and 48 seconds) and Faizan Faiz finished third (1 hour, 20 minutes and 11 seconds).
In the women’s half marathon category, Kaukab Sarwar finished first (1 hour, 53 minutes and 57 seconds), Dr Rabia Naeem second (1 hour, 58 minutes and 0.4 seconds) and Dr Zoha Poonawala third (1 hour, 59 minutes and 20 seconds).
Published in Dawn, January 5, 2026
