Pakistani-origin expatriate runners pose for a bunch photograph after taking part within the 2025 Chicago Marathon. — Reporter
Pakistani runners from all over the world put up robust performances on the 2025 Chicago Marathon, one of many seven World Marathon Majors, which drew greater than 53,000 contributors this 12 months.
The occasion noticed a various group of Pakistani athletes – from these based mostly in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad to twin nationals and expatriates from the US, United Kingdom, Norway, and the Gulf – proudly representing the inexperienced flag throughout 42.195 kilometres of Chicago’s streets.
Main the Pakistani contingent was Syed Ali Hamza, a Pakistani-American based mostly in Villanova, Pennsylvania, who accomplished the race in two hours, 55 minutes and 14 seconds, making him the quickest Pakistani finisher. He was adopted by one other USA-based runner of Pakistani origin, Salman Ilyas, who clocked 2:56:39, and Nizar Nayani, who completed in 2:57:43.
US-Pakistani marathon runner Nizar Nayani shows his medal after ending the Chicago Marathon. — Reporter
Nayani stated working beneath the Pakistani banner added a particular which means to his achievement.
“Running a marathon is a self-challenge, and especially crossing the finish line and being able to represent as a Pakistani runner makes it all worth it,” he stated.
Amongst those that travelled from Pakistan, one of many nation’s high marathon runners, Faisal Shafi from Karachi, stood out with a time of three:18:52, making him the quickest Pakistan-based runner this 12 months. Shafi, a seasoned marathon runner and already a seven-star finisher, stated he went into the race with a particular pacing technique and achieved a private milestone.
“I wanted to experiment with pacing in the second half,” he stated. “I held my pace in the first 20–25 kilometres and then pushed harder later. This will remain my most memorable run because I ran my second half quicker than my first, something rare in long-distance running. I’m happy and proud of my performance.”
Karachi-based Pakistani marathon runner Faisal Shafi reveals off his medal after ending the Chicago Marathon with distinction. — Reporter
One other spotlight from Pakistan was Dania Ali of Karachi, who made her World Marathon Main debut in Chicago. Coaching on the streets of Karachi, she achieved her private document with a time of 4:45:07, marking a exceptional milestone in her working journey. Her achievement drew admiration from the native working neighborhood.
Amongst ladies, U.S.-based Aisha Qamar from Brooklyn was the quickest feminine Pakistani runner with a time of three:00:51, whereas UK-based Maheen Suleman Sheikh, from London, clocked 3:55:29. Karachi’s Sana Malik accomplished the race in 4:26:27, describing the Chicago ambiance as unforgettable.
“I think it went amazingly,” Sana stated. “I’ve never experienced a crowd like Chicago’s. This was an experience to remember for decades, and I’ll keep working hard to show up better.”
A number of different Pakistan-based runners additionally delivered commendable performances, together with Bilal Umar (3:39:29), Shah Faisal Khan (3:57:36), Safdar Ali (4:06:45), Yasir Suleman Memon (4:18:40), and Muhammad Tajdar Iqbal (4:21:08) from Karachi, together with Muhammad Yawar Siddiqui (3:45:26) from Islamabad and Saood Hamid (5:20:05) from Lahore.
Pakistani runners from overseas additionally made their presence felt. Notable finishers included Osman Sarood (Pakistani-American, San Jose) in 3:44:59, Atiq Ul Hassan (Franklin) in 3:47:43, Abbas Naqvi (US-based) in 4:12:34, and Imran Zaffar (British-Pakistani) in 4:37:31.
A particular second got here when Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the religious chief of the Ismaili neighborhood, accomplished the marathon on his 54th birthday in 4:59:25. He was greeted by followers alongside the route with chants of “Happy Birthday!”.
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo gained the boys’s elite title in 2:02:23, adopted by Kenya’s Amos Kipruto (2:03:54) and Alex Masai (2:04:37). Within the ladies’s race, Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa Gejia claimed victory in 2:14:56, forward of Megertu Alemu (2:17:18) and Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri (2:18:03).
From Villanova to Karachi and London to Riyadh, this 12 months’s Chicago Marathon showcased the energy, unity, and spirit of Pakistani runners all over the world. Their performances not solely mirrored particular person excellence but additionally highlighted Pakistan’s rising footprint within the international marathon scene.
Chicago Marathon 2025: Pakistani Finishers Below 6 Hours
Syed Ali Hamza PAK (USA) Villanova 2:55:14Salman Ilyas USA Sammamish 2:56:39Nizar Nayani USA Tomball 2:57:43Irtaza Haider PAK Evanston 3:00:50Aisha Qamar USA Brooklyn 3:00:51Faisal Shafi PAK Karachi 3:18:52Muhammad Shah PAK Cincinnati 3:23:12Bilal Umar PAK Karachi 3:39:29Khoula Ahmed NOR — 3:40:21Osman Sarood PAK (USA) San Jose 3:44:59Muhammad Yawar Siddiqui PAK Islamabad 3:45:26Atiq Ul Hassan PAK (USA) Franklin 3:47:43Maheen Suleman Sheikh PAK (GBR) London 3:55:29Shah Faisal Khan PAK Karachi 3:57:36Basil Khan PAK Chicago 4:02:17Safdar Ali PAK Karachi 4:06:45Babar Ghias USA Chicago 4:11:41Abbas Naqvi PAK (USA) Islamabad 4:12:34Adnan Afzal USA Spring 4:14:42Saba Lodhi PAK Wenatchee 4:17:00Yasir Suleman Memon PAK Karachi 4:18:40Muhammad Umer Shafiq PAK (USA) Islamabad 4:20:24Muhammad Tajdar Iqbal PAK Karachi 4:21:08Sana Malik PAK Karachi 4:26:27Khalid Sarfaraz PAK Abu Dhabi 4:36:46Imran Zaffar GBR Harrow 4:37:31Ghassan Tayyab PAK Naperville 4:42:45Dania Ali PAK Karachi 4:45:07 Syed Ahsan Ejaz PAK Karachi 4:45:50Raja Arif Ullah Khan PAK Riyadh 4:49:56Muhammad Rizwan Khawaja USA Scottsdale 5:12:19Faraz Siddiqui PAK Weehawken 5:19:56Shazia Nawaz PAK (UAE) Lahore 5:20:05Saood Hamid PAK Lahore 5:20:05Usman Rao PAK (USA) Karachi 5:16:16Fawaz Qamar PAK Gujranwala 5:31:48Ahmed Khan PAK Bristol 5:47:47Muhammad Yousuf PAK Karachi 5:58:19Syeda Maimoona Hamdani PAK Karachi 5:58:31
Supply: Web site of Chicago Marathon
