KARACHI: Pakistani athletes showcased outstanding performances at the Sydney Marathon on Sunday, which is the inaugural edition since the race attained Abbott World Marathon Major status.
Faisal Shafi from Karachi established a Guinness World Record by finishing the marathon in a lightweight military uniform to pay tribute to Pakistan’s armed. forces.
The competition, now the seventh event in the esteemed Abbott World Marathon Majors with Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York, offered runners a picturesque journey through Sydney’s most famous sites.
The route went by the Opera House, traversed the Harbour Bridge, meandered through the Royal Botanic Garden, and hugged the scenic shoreline of Sydney Cove.
Shafi finished the tough 42.195-kilometer route in 3 hours, 40 minutes, and 13 seconds while dressed in lightweight military attire, setting a new world record for this category.
“It was the perfect moment to honor Pakistan’s military, our fallen heroes, and the significant sacrifices made by our troops,” Shafi stated to Geo.
“I take pride in having accomplished that as a civilian on this worldwide platform.” He mentioned that running in the uniquely designed military-style uniform was quite challenging.
In the meantime, the quickest Pakistani finisher at the Sydney Marathon 2025 was Ali Zaidi, based in Australia, who recorded a time of 3:05:33 to head the group.
Islamabad’s Bilal Ehsan came next, achieving a time of 3:15:03 as the leading runner among those from Pakistan who came specifically for the event.
Additional significant Pakistani artists featured were Fahd Mukhtar, Hamid Butt, and Bacha Hussain.
Shafi’s accomplishment also secured him his seventh star in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series, alongside seven other Pakistani runners who reached the same milestone during Sydney’s first major marathon.
The route, famous for its tough inclines—especially in the final sections near Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair and Art Gallery Road—challenged runners’ stamina with its varied landscape.
The contest, currently the seventh event in the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors alongside Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York, provided runners with a scenic route through Sydney’s iconic landmarks.
The path passed the Opera House, crossed the Harbour Bridge, wound through the Royal Botanic Garden, and followed the picturesque waterfront of Sydney Cove.
Shafi completed the challenging 42.195-kilometer course in 3 hours, 40 minutes, and 13 seconds while wearing lightweight military gear, establishing a new world record for this category.
“It was the ideal time to commemorate Pakistan’s military, our deceased heroes, and the immense sacrifices our soldiers have made,” Shafi told Geo.
“I am proud to have achieved that as a civilian on this international stage.” He stated that running in the specially designed military-style outfit was rather difficult.
Meanwhile, the fastest Pakistani finisher at the Sydney Marathon 2025 was Ali Zaidi, residing in Australia, who clocked a time of 3:05:33 to lead the pack.
Next was Bilal Ehsan from Islamabad, recording a time of 3:15:03 as the top competitor among Pakistani runners who participated solely for the event.
Notable Pakistani artists included Fahd Mukhtar, Hamid Butt, and Bacha Hussain.
Shafi’s achievement also earned him his seventh star in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series, along with seven fellow Pakistani runners who attained the same milestone during Sydney’s inaugural major marathon.
The course, renowned for its steep gradients—particularly in the closing parts near Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair and Art Gallery Road—tested the endurance of runners through its diverse terrain.
Complete Results of Pakistani Runners:
- Ali Zaidi (Australia) – 3:05:33
- Bilal Ehsan (Islamabad) – 3:15:03
- Fahd Mukhtar (Multan) – 3:29:21 (Seventh Star)
- Ammar Mumtaz (Islamabad) – 3:34:02
- Hamid Butt (Lahore) – 3:34:26 (Seventh Star)
- Bacha Hussain (Karachi) – 3:36:20
- Huma Rahman (UK) – 3:38:09 (Seventh Star)
- Dr. Salman Khan (USA) – 3:39:50 (Seventh Star)
- Fasih Al Saleh (Norway) – 3:39:50
- Faisal Shafi (Karachi) – 3:40:13 (Seventh Star, World Record)
- Yawar Siddiqui (Islamabad) – 3:44:16
- Asad Jafri (Sydney) – 3:47:03
- Sijal Ahmad (Sydney) – 3:52:06
- Abu-Bakr Mohammad Afzal (UK) – 3:52:20
- Ammar Zia (UK) – 3:52:27
- Khoula Ahmed (Norway) – 3:52:53
- Muhammad Junaid (Karachi) – 4:04:09
- Semeena Khan (UK) – 4:10:07
- Jamal Khan (USA) – 4:10:10 (Seventh Star)
- Neelab Kayani (Rawalpindi) – 4:10:28
- Wahab Sidhu – 4:13:31
- Hasan Saud Hasnie – 4:14:24
- Ali Habib (Australia) – 4:19:04
- Rabab Ahmed – 4:20:02
- Zawar (UK) – 4:21:53
- Nida Yawar (Islamabad) – 4:23:31
- Imran Zaffar (UK) – 4:32:38
- Maeen Uddin (UAE) – 4:55:56
- Hamad Ali (UK) – 4:56:02
- Yusra Bokhari (USA) – 5:13:49 (Seventh Star)
- Dr. Ahmad Zubair (UK) – 5:30:02
- Shazia Nawaz (USA) – 5:30:03
- Ziyad Raheem (UK) – 5:37:01 (Seventh Star)
- Ahmer Khan (Austria) – 5:39:52
- Aylia Zaidi (USA) – 5:47:32
- Sabba Mirza (UK) – 6:04:22