Pakistani runners forward of 2025 London Marathon. — ReporterÂ
Because the solar rises over London on Sunday morning, a decided contingent of 30 Pakistani and Pakistani-origin runners will be a part of greater than 50,000 athletes firstly line of the 2025 London Marathon.
Amongst them, all eyes might be on 64-year-old Hamid Butt from Lahore, who stands to make historical past as the primary Pakistani to finish the coveted six-star marathon achievement twice — having already completed all six World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York) as soon as earlier than.
The various group of rivals represents Pakistan’s rising presence in international marathon working, with individuals hailing from a number of international locations together with the US, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Norway and Saudi Arabia.
A number of athletes arrive in London with drained legs however decided spirits, having simply accomplished final week’s Boston Marathon.
“I ran London last year and remember seeing people in their Boston jackets coming to pick up the London bib and thinking one day that will be me,” stated Hira Diwan, a UK-based runner who accomplished the Boston Marathon simply six days in the past together with fellow Pakistani-origin runners Salman Ilyas and Aamer Butt from the US.
“And it came true the very next year,” she added, reflecting on her speedy development within the sport.
The London occasion holds particular significance for British-Pakistani range advocate Semeena Khan, who might be working her sixth London Marathon whereas serving as Group Lead for Muslim Runners UK.
Among the many rivals from Pakistan itself, Karachi-based TV anchor Mona Khan arrives firstly line after an intense coaching routine balanced together with her demanding media profession.
Coached by fellow participant Muhammad Yousuf Malik, Khan’s journey to London has been marked by private sacrifices. “For Pakistani runners, every running track is a battlefield, and we run with our hearts,” she stated.
“I’ve cut my hair for ease, my arms have darkened from running in the sun, and I’ve got injuries on my knee and elbow… but I’m still running. Nothing can stop me.”
The marathon additionally marks a private milestone for Islamabad’s Furqan Masood, representing the Islamabad Working Membership. His journey from informal runner to marathon competitor encapsulates the rising working tradition in Pakistan.
“Tomorrow, I’ll be at the start line of the London Marathon 2025, joining 55,000 runners from around the world,” Masood stated. “Three years ago, I found IRC, and what started as a simple fitness routine turned into a mission — to build resilience, inspire others, and prove that discipline can achieve anything.”
For first-time marathoner Hira Mufti, a 42-year-old British-Pakistani mom of three, Sunday’s race represents each a private problem and a tribute to her heritage. “I’m running as a proud Pakistani Muslim, mother of 3, to honor my late father, without whom I would not be here today,” Mufti defined.
“He instilled in me the all-important life lessons of resilience, endurance, compassion, love for humanity and love for my country.” The symbolic nature of her run is not misplaced on Mufti, who famous: “Of course AGE IS IMPORTANT I’m 42 and running 42 km to mark each wonderful year of my life.”
The Pakistani contingent additionally contains athletes like Norwegian-Pakistani runner Amy Mir, whose marathon participation matches right into a broader athletic journey. “Actually I started Running when I was born. I never sat where my parents left me, or peacefully enjoyed sitting with both legs on a chair,” Mir stated with attribute humor.
“My sport career started with soccer, sprint on track or trailrun while hiking, muay thai, river kayaking, triathlon, skiing as expedition with sled, and now high altitude mountaineering. Marathon is just a stop along my journey. Journey to K2 summit, in 2026.”
Full listing of Pakistani and Pakistani-origin individuals:Â
Amy Raza (USA) Ayesha Akhtar (USA) Hira Mufti (UK) Saniya Zafar (UAE) Hira Diwan (UK) Muhammad Yousuf Malik (Pakistan) Muhammad Fasih Saleh (Norway) Shazia Nawaz (UAE) Hamid Butt (Pakistan) Salman Ilyas (USA) Aamer Butt (USA) Hamad Ali (UK) Imran Zaffar (UK) Adnan Ozair (UK) Raja Arif Ullah Khan (Saudi Arabia) Faisal Saif (UAE) Abu-Bakr Mohammad Afzal (UK) Furqan Masood (Pakistan) Hamza Saleem (Pakistan) Atiq Ul Hasan (USA) Raees Ebrahim (USA) Zawar Khan (UK) Nadeem Iqbal (UK) Taha Ghafoor (UK) Mona Khan (Pakistan) Junaid Memon (USA) Khalid Sheikh (Pakistan) Kamran Abbasi (UK) Amy Mir (Norway)
