Pakistani runners pose for a gaggle photograph after operating within the Berlin Marathon. — Reporter
KARACHI: Greater than two dozen runners of Pakistani origin, together with abroad Pakistani and people primarily based in Pakistan, braved sizzling and humid circumstances to finish the 2025 Berlin Marathon on Sunday, with Karachi’s Mustafa Jafar main the contingent dwelling in 3 hours, 36 minutes, 21 seconds.
The Berlin Marathon, referred to as one of many quickest programs on the earth, was held in unusually heat late-summer climate, which slowed many runners and proved a stern take a look at for amateurs and elites alike.
Amongst Pakistan-based individuals, Jafar’s efficiency stood out regardless of battling cramps within the last kilometres. “The weather made everyone go slower than they had in mind,” he mentioned. “I was about 15–16 minutes slower than my target, but I am happy and satisfied with my performance.”
He was carefully adopted by Adeel Sardar, who crossed the road in 3:44:50, whereas Kaukab Sarwar, who completed in 4:03:26, emerged because the quickest girl among the many Pakistan-based contingent. “It wasn’t easy, but I am proud to have completed another marathon medal,” Kaukab mentioned.
Different Pakistan-based runners who accomplished the race included Muhammad Hassan (4:22:07), Kamran Lakhany (4:31:21), Hayyaan Ahmad (4:42:37), Hina Shaukat (5:12:20), Saba Khan (5:30:39), Nabila Khaliq (5:39:38), Makiyya Khan (5:55:45), Muhammad Husnain Ashfaq (6:09:58), and Syeda Maimoona Hamdani (6:21:37).
For abroad Pakistanis, Denmark-based runner of Pakistani origin Zeeshan Rab reached a outstanding private milestone, finishing his forty first profession marathon and 18th of the yr in 4:04:57.
“I was seven minutes off my personal best, so I’m absolutely happy,” Rab mentioned. “Berlin is still the place for the fastest times, but the heat was tough. I’ll now focus on Malmö and Lubeck marathons in the coming weeks.”
Britain-based Shahzada Hussain was the quickest total amongst Pakistanis within the race, clocking 3:23:37, adopted by one other London-based Hassan Raza in 3:31:01. Raza, who ran together with his household in thoughts, celebrated a 27-minute private finest.
“The weather commanded respect,” he mentioned. “But I surprised myself. I feel proud to achieve this for my family and Pakistanis around the world.”
The Berlin Marathon drew over 55,000 runners from across the globe, together with celebrities resembling singer Harry Types and former footballers André Schürrle and Felix Kroos.
On the elite stage, Sabastian Sawe of Kenya triumphed within the males’s race in 2:02:16, whereas Rosemary Wanjiru, additionally of Kenya, took the ladies’s title in 2:21:05.
The Berlin Marathon route, which begins and finishes on the Brandenburg Gate, is well known as one of many sport’s most iconic and record-friendly programs.
Regardless of the warmth, Berlin as soon as once more supplied its mixture of historical past, cheering crowds, and quick roads for the tens of 1000’s of finishers, together with a spirited group of Pakistanis who left their mark on one of many world’s biggest operating levels.
Full outcomes of Pakistani runners at Berlin Marathon 2025:Shahzada Hussain (GBR) – 3:23:37Hassan Raza (GBR) – 3:31:01Mustafa Jafar (PAK) – 3:36:21Adeel Sardar (PAK) – 3:44:50Ali Rauf (GBR) – 3:46:24Shah Hussain (GBR) – 3:50:00Kaukab Sarwar (PAK) F – 4:03:26Zeeshan Rab (DEN) – 4:04:57Nadeem Iqbal (GBR) – 4:16:39Muhammad Hassan (PAK) – 4:22:07Nazakat Ali (GBR) – 4:24:49Ramiza Haq (USA) F – 4:26:07Zahra Currimbhoy (GER) F – 4:26:59Semeena Khan (GBR) F – 4:28:48Kamran Lakhany (PAK) – 4:31:21Sana Khan (USA) F – 4:38:55Hayyaan Ahmad (PAK) – 4:42:37Zawar Khan (GBR) – 4:47:36Hina Shaukat (PAK) F – 5:12:20Shahnawaz Malik (GBR) – 5:14:17Qamar Zia (USA) – 5:26:50Saba Khan (PAK) F – 5:30:39Tauseef Kureshi (GBR) – 5:38:55Nabila Khaliq (PAK) F – 5:39:38Yusra Bokhari (USA) F – 5:40:20Makiyya Khan (PAK) F – 5:55:45Unaiza Admani [Amy Raza] (USA) F – 6:03:40Muhammad Husnain Ashfaq (PAK) – 6:09:58Syeda Maimoona Hamdani (PAK) F – 6:21:37
