Karachi: With tens of thousands of contestants gathered in the 129th Boston Marathon on April 21, a group of 18 Pakistani runners, from the homeland and the diaspora, gathered to make history.
Among them, two contestants in Karachi, the Denmarkian, and Pilsell Shafi, will try a record in Guinness for the fastest marathon in the traditional Shalawar Qamiz in Pakistan, with the aim of completing less than four hours in one of the most challenging sessions in the world.
While the Danish and Al -Faisal are looking for a global record, it will complete five others (and six, including the Danish Elahi), a six -star finishing journey in Boston to a group of elite athletes who finished all the six world marathon (Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin and Tokio).
Adnan Gandhi, Hera Diwan, Youssra Bukhari, Nizar Nayani and Jamal Khan are among the contestants who will complete the sixth world marathon on Monday.
The Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest annual marathon race, will witness more than 50,000 participants this year, with an estimated one million spectators lining up on the 26.2 miles of Hopkinton to Potiston Street. It is famous for its arduous hills, especially the notorious Herbreck Hill near Mile 20, and the race tests to the most experienced contestants.
For the Pakistan Unit, this marathon is not only related to personal achievement, but also related to the presentation of pride and national flexibility.
A global standard attempt in national clothes
The Danish attention attempt and Fille Shafi have scored a global record for the fastest marathon in Shaluir Qumiz. The idea, as Elaahi explained, was born of the desire to represent Pakistan on the international stage.
“Faisal wanted to do this final marathon, as a six -star marathon represents more than six stars, and also to be an achievement of records books as Pakistani, to Pakistan,” Eliahi told Geo News in an interview. “We will represent Pakistan in Boston among the 50,000 individual contestants who watch more than a million people, not only in our national dress but in our national colors (green and white). I want this to be something everywhere in the world remember Pakistan.”
Shafi, who depicts the idea, stressed the cultural importance. “The idea was to represent Pakistan and present a picture of our culture on the global platform,” he said. “It is not only the global number, but rather a more soft image of Pakistan and our culture, along with the name Pakistan in the world records records.”
Canada -based Prakash Bangash put the current unofficial standard in 2018, which tried to work as a feat but missed a sign under four hours. However, Elaahi and Shafi are confident of their preparation, although they recognize traditional clothes, provided unique challenges.
“We have not tested long periods in Shalawar Qamz during training,” Shafi, citing logistical obstacles, did not test the documentation of the documentation on Guinness’s documents. Meanwhile, Elaahi remained optimistic: “We hope that this is not a challenge, and we will deal through the line.”
Six stars and dream: Pakistani runners complete their marathon journey
For Danish divine, Gandhi counters, Hera Diwan, Yusra Bukhari, Al Naiani, and Jamal Khan, Boston coincides with the coronation of years of dedication. Completing all Marathon Majors Six World is a rare achievement – only about 17,000 hostages worldwide holding the Six Star Finisher title.
Adnan Gandhi, a Karachi -based hostility, was effective in promoting the marathon culture in Pakistan. His trip to Boston was particularly exhausting, coinciding with Ramadan.
“I felt a secret of reaching Boston this year because this means that the most difficult weeks of six weeks require training during Ramadan, I admit. However, the community gathered behind it. He added: “My friends trained the Jarion with me almost every night. I ran about 400 km in March, almost all of this with SVRC members.”
Gandhi Marathon London 2022 described as a prominent race. “The entire marathon experience – from the exhibition to the organization to supporting the race – was simply great.” After Boston, it aims to develop the marathon scene in Pakistan. “In a country, the size of Pakistan, we must have 3 to 5 marathon a year,” said Adnan.
For Diwan, only one of the four women of Pakistani descending Boston this year, the race is the culmination of a 14 -year trip.
“This will be a very emotional end for me,” she said. “The discipline of training in the race after the race with work and life, and now that he is a single mother – all of this adds,” Hera Jio told an interview.
According to Hira, she wants to enjoy an atmosphere while running in Boston Marathon instead of worrying about any time.
“I am enthusiastic about running a race as I don’t focus on time but I am eating all the atmosphere. Boston has a finish line saying directly on Herveford, he left on Potiston. I look forward to being able to do this right turn and then left before seeing the finish line in Boston.”
She said that the Boston Marathon training was harsh, especially during Ramadan. She recalls, “A lot of hills! And some of the only morning in the early morning extends.” However, its focus continues to inspire more Pakistani women to take running.
She said, “I hope to inspire more women to go out there and start running.” “It is difficult in our culture sometimes to explain why these long distances are operating, and this difficulty is greater as a female hostility,” she explained.
Despite the challenges, they see progress, “with operating clubs like SVRC, there is now an environment in which women can feel safer and more supportive.”
The Danish divine, who is also trying to get a global record with Faisal Shafi, will also complete his sixth major marathy on Monday to earn a 6 -star badge.
“This means that the world for me, it is not just an achievement for me personally, but it is a tribute to my family, especially my father, my wife and your children through this trip. His representation of Pakistan on a global platform and our local community to inspire the younger generation to follow these goals or similar goals in the future,” Danishy said this correspondence before his trip to Buston.
Of the 18 Pakistani contestants in Boston, there are nine in the United States, with others from the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan itself. They confirm their participation in the global spread of the running community in Pakistan.
Dr. Salman Khan, a Boston texture five times, and Omar Pot, is a four -time participant, among the most experienced participants. Meanwhile, Sadiq Shah, Aiz Abdullah, Abdul Rahman and Amin Mukati are among the contestants who travel directly from Pakistan, highlighting the growing sport of sport to the homeland.
For these athletes, Boston is more than just a race, it is an opportunity to reshape Pakistan perceptions.
“He gives me chills,” said my God. “It is the dream of every athlete to represent his country on the world stage, wear flag on his chest, and to hire him high as soon as it is completed. It relates to showing the image of the soft Pakistani scientist and taking their minds away from the negatives.”
While the contestants face Herbrek Hill and the final expansion on Potiston Street, their steps will not bear mere personal ambition but rather a collective hope for more Pakistanis to embrace running marathon and all the world to see their nation in a new light.
Pakistani list, including contestants in Pakistan and expatriates,
1. D. Salman Khan
2. I command a coma
3. Jamal Khan
4. Nayani Nayyan
5. Hera Diwan
6. Salman Ilias
7. Yosra Bukhari
8. Sarah Ludhi
9. Sadiq Shah
10. Adnan Gandhi
11. Iz Abdullah
12. Danish Elahi
13. Amin Mukati
14. Abdul Rahman
15. Faisal Shafi
16. Omar Malik
17. Qamar Diaa
18. Dr. Ravia Bukhari