This undated picture exhibits runners take part in marathon race. — offered by athletes/File
Karachi: As tens of hundreds of runners collect for the 129th Boston Marathon on twenty first April, a bunch of 18 Pakistani runners, each from the homeland and the diaspora, are set to make historical past.
Amongst them, two Karachi-based runners, Danish Elahi and Faisal Shafi, will try a Guinness World Document for the quickest marathon in Pakistan’s conventional Shalwar Qameez, aiming to complete underneath 4 hours on one of many world’s most difficult programs.
Whereas Danish and Faisal are eying a world document, 5 others (and 6 together with Danish Elahi), can be finishing their six-star finisher journey at Boston becoming a member of an elite group of athletes who’ve completed all six Abbott World Marathon Majors (Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, London, and Tokyo).
Pakistani runner Danish Elahi poses within the shalwar kameez he plans to put on through the Boston Marathon, earlier than their flight.. — offered by athlete
Adnan Gandhi, Hira Diwan, Yusra Bokhari, Nizar Nayani and Jamal Khan are among the many runners who will full their sixth world main marathon on Monday.
The Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest annual marathon, will see over 50,000 contributors this yr, with an estimated a million spectators lining the 26.2-mile route from Hopkinton to Boylston Road. Recognized for its gruelling hills, notably the notorious Heartbreak Hill close to Mile 20, the race assessments even probably the most seasoned runners.
This undated picture exhibits two runners posing for a photograph. — offered by athletes/File
For Pakistan’s contingent, this marathon is not only about private achievement but additionally about showcasing nationwide satisfaction and resilience.
A world document try in nationwide apparel
Danish Elahi and Faisal Shafi’s try and set a world document for the quickest marathon in Shalwar Qameez has already captured consideration. The thought, as Elahi explains, was born out of a need to signify Pakistan on a global stage.
Three runners pose for a bunch picture. — offered by athletes/File
Shafi, who conceived the thought, emphasised the cultural significance. “The idea was to represent Pakistan and present an image of our culture on the global platform,” he stated. “It’s not only about the world record, it’s about presenting a softer image of Pakistan and our culture, along with Pakistan’s name in the world record books.”
The present unofficial benchmark was set by Canada-based Prakash Banisetty in 2018, who tried the feat however missed the sub-four-hour mark. Elahi and Shafi, nevertheless, are assured of their preparation, although they admit coaching in conventional apparel introduced distinctive challenges.
Pakistani runner Faisal Shafi poses within the shalwar kameez he plans to put on through the Boston Marathon, earlier than their flight.. — offered by athlete
“We have not really tested long runs in Shalwar Qameez during training,” Shafi admitted, citing logistical hurdles in finalising Guinness documentation. Elahi, in the meantime, remained optimistic: “Hopefully, it won’t be a challenge, and we’ll get across the line.”
Six stars and a dream: Pakistani runners full their marathon majors journey
For Danish Elahi, Adnan Gandhi, Hira Diwan, Yusra Bokhari, Nizar Nayani, and Jamal Khan, Boston marks the end result of years of dedication. Finishing all six World Marathon Majors is a uncommon feat – solely round 17,000 runners globally maintain the Six Star Finisher title.
Adnan Gandhi, a Karachi-based runner, has been instrumental in fostering Pakistan’s marathon tradition. His journey to Boston was notably gruelling, coinciding with Ramadan.
“I was secretly upset about getting into Boston this year because it meant my toughest six weeks would also require training during Ramadan,” he confessed. But, the operating group rallied behind him. “My running friends trained with me nearly every single night. I ran nearly 400 kilometres in March, and nearly all of it with SVRC members,” he added.
Gandhi described the London Marathon 2022 as his standout race. “The entire marathon experience – from the expo to organisation to race support – was simply outstanding.” And, post-Boston, he goals to develop Pakistan’s marathon scene additional. “In a country the size of Pakistan, we should have 3 to 5 marathons a year,” Adnan stated.
For Hira Diwan, considered one of solely 4 Pakistani-origin ladies operating Boston this yr, the race is the end result of a 14-year journey.
“This will be a very emotional finish for me,” she stated. “The discipline to train for race after race with work, life, and now being a single mom—all add up,” Hira instructed Geo in an interview.
And, in line with Hira, she desires to benefit from the environment throughout her run on the Boston Marathon as an alternative of worrying about any time.
“I’m excited to run a race where I’m not focusing on a time but get to take in all the atmosphere. Boston has a finish line saying Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston. I am most looking forward to being able to make that right turn and then left before seeing the Boston finish line,” she stated.
She stated that coaching for the Boston Marathon was powerful, particularly throughout Ramadan. “Lots of hills! And some very lonely early morning runs,” she recalled. But, her focus stays on inspiring extra Pakistani ladies to take up operating.
“I hope it inspires more women to get out there and start running,” she stated. “It is difficult in our culture sometimes to explain why you run these long distances, and that difficulty is even greater as a female runner,” she defined.
Regardless of the challenges, she sees progress, “With run clubs like SVRC, there is now an environment where women can feel safer and more supported,” Hira added.
Danish Elahi, who can also be making an attempt a world document with Faisal Shafi, can even full his sixth main marathon on Monday to earn the badge of 6-star-finisher.
“It means the world to me, it’s not just an achievement for me personally but it’s a tribute to my family especially my parents, wife & kids’ support through this journey. Its representation for Pakistan on a global platform and to our local running community to inspire the younger generation to pursue this or similar goals in the future,” Danish instructed this correspondent forward of his flight to Boston.
Of the 18 Pakistani runners at Boston, 9 are primarily based within the U.S., with others hailing from the U.Ok., UAE, and Pakistan itself. Their participation underscores the worldwide unfold of Pakistan’s operating group.
Dr. Salman Khan, a five-time Boston finisher, and Aamer Butt, a four-time participant, are among the many most skilled. In the meantime, Sadiq Shah, Ayaz Abdulla, Abdul Rehman and Amin Mukaty are among the many runners travelling straight from Pakistan highlighting the game’s rising attraction again house.
For these athletes, Boston is greater than only a race, it’s an opportunity to reshape perceptions of Pakistan.
“It gives me goosebumps,” Elahi stated. “It’s every athlete’s dream to represent his country on the global stage, wear the flag on his chest, and fly it high once you finish. It’s about showing the world Pakistan’s soft image and taking their minds away from the negativities.”
Because the runners tackle Heartbreak Hill and the ultimate stretch onto Boylston Road, their strides will carry not only a private ambition however a collective hope for extra Pakistanis to embrace marathon operating and for the world to see their nation in a brand new gentle.
Listing of Pakistani, together with Pakistan- primarily based and diaspora, runners
1. Dr. Salman Khan
2. Aamer Butt
3. Jamal Khan
4. Nizar Nayani
5. Hira Diwan
6. Salman Ilyas
7. Yusra Bokhari
8. Sara Lodhi
9. Sadiq Shah
10. Adnan Gandhi
11. Ayaz Abdulla
12. Danish Elahi
13. Amin Mukaty
14. Abdul Rehman
15. Faisal Shafi
16. Omer Malik
17. Qamar Zia
18. Dr. Ravia Bokhari
