KARACHI: As Karachi wakes up to the rhythmic sound of waves at Sea View, groups of runners from all walks of life can be seen running through the streets, their breaths synchronizing with their steps.
They are gearing up for an event that has not only brought the city together but also put Pakistan on the international marathon map. The Karachi Marathon, scheduled to be held on January 5, 2025, promises to be a celebration of endurance, determination and community.
For months, Karachi’s streets, parks and gardens have been transformed into training grounds. Veteran racers and first-time racers alike come together in groups, pushing each other to new limits.
As the start of the much-awaited Karachi Marathon approaches, excitement is building among the runners. For many, racing is not just a challenge; It is a celebration of endurance.
Various running groups around the city meet regularly, and one of the most popular training spots is Sea View, 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 of whom are working hard to prepare for the marathon.
“Great opportunity”
Shoaib Nizami, race director of the Karachi Marathon, emphasized the importance of this year’s event. “This year, the Karachi Marathon is a special race, which means runners here will be eligible to qualify for other races,” Nizami said.
“It is the first time in Pakistan that local runners have had the opportunity to qualify for international races such as the Abbott Age Group Championships. We have seen participation almost double compared to last year, and there are also more entries from women. It is a great opportunity for our runners, especially those hoping to Competing in races such as the Boston Marathon.
“Symbol of positivity”, “Great platform”
Among the newcomers is Mustansir Banduwala, in his late fifties, who took up running after a long history of hiking. “I’ve been training for a half marathon, and although it’s a challenge, the community support has been amazing. The good weather here has made it easier to prepare, and the energy shown by your fellow runners makes it even more motivating,” he said, adding that the crowd at the marathon will serve as a Great morale boost on race day.
Mazhar Valji, 66, another first-time marathon runner, sees the event as a symbol of positivity in Karachi. “The Karachi Marathon is known as an international marathon, and this is a great honor for us,” Valji 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 getting ready to join in has motivated me. I am also running to support the Citizen Foundation, which adds more purpose to my journey.”
Then there is Firoz Rizvi, 72, the oldest runner in the group, who is aiming to complete his first half marathon. “At my age, it’s not easy to take on 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. “It’s easy to give up once you retire, but you have to keep moving. As they say, “Move it or lose it.”
On the other end of the spectrum is Kawkab Sarwar, an avid runner who has already completed four major world marathons. “Running is my passion,” Sarwar said.
“It is about challenging myself and achieving my goals. The Karachi Marathon is a great opportunity for local runners because not everyone can afford to travel abroad to participate in international marathons. This event will act as a support system for local runners and give everyone a chance to shine.
For Rina Ibrahim, who will be running a marathon for the first time, running has been a journey of self-discovery. “When I started, I couldn’t even run one kilometre, but now I run more than 30 kilometres,” Ibrahim said.
“The journey has been very encouraging, and I am excited to see what I can achieve in the Karachi Marathon. I have been training, and the running community has been a huge motivation for me. At first, I was running alone with music, but my coach advised me to listen to my body and the people around me. Others make training much easier.
Hina Malik, another runner from Karachi, is also participating in the full marathon for the first time after increasing her distance from 5 km to 42.195 km.
“I started running myself, and last year’s Karachi Marathon inspired me to push my limits. Seeing great runners motivates me, and when you realize how far you’ve come, it gives you a huge sense of accomplishment. I’m looking forward to crossing the finish line, and then the journey will continue,” Malik said. With international marathons.
Ozma, a seasoned runner and coach, spoke about the transformation she has seen in the local running community. “The excitement this year is unlike anything we’ve seen before,” she said.
“Increasing participation shows that more people are embracing running as part of their lives. The discipline it takes to train for a marathon is what motivates me, and I am ready to run the full marathon this time after completing the half marathon last year.”
For experienced runners like Amjad Ali, the marathon represents an opportunity to push personal boundaries. “I started with the 5,000m race at the hockey club under Mr. Talib’s training, and since then, I have been aiming to participate in marathons under 3 hours,” Ali said. “I recently set a personal best of 2:49 in Istanbul, and I’m looking forward to improving even further in Karachi. You know your training, and on race day, you just have to execute your plan.
Sadiq Shah, a marathon runner with extensive experience in international races, is also excited about the international recognition of the Karachi Marathon. “It is a great platform for everyone who is passionate about running,” Shah said. “I have run 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 need mental toughness too. Mental preparation is what gets you through those last few kilometres.
Shah Faisal, another local runner, emphasized the special importance of the event being held in Karachi. “I grew up running on these roads, so I am fully prepared,” Faisal said. “There is less pressure when you race in your city. The running community here is growing, and I am proud to be part of this movement. I want to see everyone join the Karachi Marathon.”
Ali Al-Bikai, a runner who started his marathon journey just two years ago, shares his inspiring story with us. Al-Bikai explained: “I started running for fitness, but last April, I decided to go ahead and train to participate in the marathon.” “I ran the half marathon on Independence Day, and now I’m aiming for the full marathon. It’s a completely different challenge. I’ve been building from shorter distances to longer distances, and my last training run was 36km, which brought me closer psychologically to my goal. You have to be fit.” But most of the game is in your head. When you’re running with a goal in mind, you keep reminding yourself of it, and that keeps you moving forward.
As race day approaches, the Karachi Marathon stands as a testament to the city’s resilience and the growing passion for running among its residents. With World Athletics accreditation and inclusion in the global racing calendar, this marathon is more than just a race. It is a celebration of Karachi’s diversity, its people and their unwavering determination to keep moving forward.
For many of these runners, the marathon is just the beginning. Whether they are running their first race or aiming for personal bests, the Karachi Marathon ethos is about pushing boundaries, setting goals and achieving greatness. And when they take to the streets of Karachi, they will carry with them the energy of a city that refuses to stop running.