KARACHI: Pakistani long-distance runners delivered outstanding performances at the Sydney Marathon 2025, the first edition since its elevation to Abbott World Marathon Majors status. Among them, Karachi-based Faisal Shafi made history by earning a Guinness World Record, completing the marathon in a specially designed light military uniform to honour Pakistan’s armed forces.
The Sydney Marathon, now the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major alongside Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York, took runners through the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Garden, and Sydney Cove waterfront.
Shafi completed the challenging 42.195 km endurance race in 3 hours, 40 minutes, and 13 seconds, setting a new Guinness World Record in his category. Speaking to media, Shafi said:
“It was the perfect occasion to pay tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces, martyrs, and the sacrifices of our soldiers. Running in uniform was difficult, but achieving this milestone as a civilian on a global stage is a proud moment.”
Apart from his Guinness record, Shafi also secured his seventh star in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series, joining seven other Pakistani marathoners who reached the historic milestone in Sydney’s debut as a major.
Top Pakistani Marathon Finishers at Sydney 2025
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Ali Zaidi (Australia-based) was the fastest Pakistani finisher, clocking 3:05:33.
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Bilal Ehsan from Islamabad posted 3:15:03, leading the contingent traveling from Pakistan.
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Other notable finishers included Fahd Mukhtar, Hamid Butt, and Bacha Hussain.
The Pakistani Seven Star Finishers club expanded with:
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Fahd Mukhtar (Multan) – 3:29:21
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Hamid Butt (Lahore) – 3:34:26
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Huma Rahman (UK) – 3:38:09
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Dr. Salman Khan (USA) – 3:39:50
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Jamal Khan (USA) – 4:10:10
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Yusra Bokhari (USA) – 5:13:49
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Ziyad Raheem (UK) – 5:37:01
Pakistani-American Yusra Bokhari, one of the women Seven Star Finishers, expressed her joy:
“As a Muslim and Pakistani woman, completing the six-star journey was a tough dream. Achieving Seven Star Finisher status on Sydney’s challenging course is an absolute blessing.”
Women Runners Shine
Out of 36 Pakistani marathon participants, 10 were women. British-Pakistani Huma Rahman led with 3:38:09, followed by:
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Khoula Ahmed (Norway) – 3:52:53
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Semeena Khan (UK) – 4:10:07
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Neelab Kayani (Rawalpindi) – 4:10:28
Pakistani news anchor Muhammad Junaid also finished with an impressive 4:04:09.
Growing Pakistani Marathon Community
A total of 16 Pakistani runners completed the Sydney Marathon in under four hours, showing the rising talent and passion of Pakistan’s endurance running community.
With the Sydney Marathon’s inclusion as the 7th Abbott World Marathon Major, the event marks a historic expansion of elite global marathons, giving Pakistani athletes a bigger platform to showcase their talent and resilience in the world of long-distance running.
