On June 28, the internationally recognized marathon will take place in Karachi, the city of lights, for the first time in Pakistan. Hundreds of runners, including both domestic and foreign athletes, are anticipated to participate.
Sports in Pakistan is organizing the marathon in association with the interim Sindh provincial government.
Dr. Syed Junaid Ali Shah, the caretaker minister for culture, antiquities & archives, sports, and youth affairs in Sindh, made the announcement at a news conference that Pakistan will make history on Sunday when it hosts an internationally recognized marathon for the first time.
The marathon is being planned in accordance with the implementation of technology, appropriate routes, and benchmarking at the global level, as is the case with marathons conducted in London and Paris.
The world’s largest running event, the marathon is staged around coastal routes to avoid interfering with the bustle of the city. Major highways and arteries are closed to facilitate runners.
According to CEO Sports in Pakistan Shoaib Nizam, Pakistani athletes have been competing in international marathons in various nations for the past few years, but the Karachi Marathon, which is being held in Pakistan for the first time at an international level, will allow Pakistani runners to qualify for international running events.
After fifteen years of community development in this game, the dream has finally come true. At last, he said, the world will see Karachi on a map.
More importantly, sports bring the country together and have made Pakistan proud on several times on the international stage. Even though we have excelled in a variety of sports, running has never drawn much notice or praise. Sports in Pakistan, established by Mr. Shoaib Nizami, has transformed cycling and running throughout Pakistan over the years, attracting unprecedented numbers of female participants.
We are honored to be present at the 1st Karachi Marathon’s commencement on Sunday, January 28, 2024, to watch history being made. World Athletics, the international governing body for athletic sports, has measured and validated this as the first full-distance (42.2 km) marathon.
It is noteworthy that all major marathon races worldwide will accept the running time of all participants in this event who are running the complete distance. Not only that, but a unique software created just for this event allows for the tracking of each runner.
Finally, anyone can register for a half marathon (21.1km) or an exciting race to take part in this historic event; they don’t have to be an elite runner.
