CHICAGO, October 12, 2026 — Pakistani runners from across the world participated in the Chicago Marathon 2026, with Texas-based Nizar Niani emerging as one of the most prominent Pakistani participants after completing the race in 3 hours and 45 seconds.
Niani narrowly missed his target of finishing the marathon in under three hours, falling short by just 46 seconds. He completed the opening 10 kilometres in 40 minutes and 22 seconds and reached the halfway point in 1 hour, 25 minutes and 41 seconds. However, a drop in pace during the second half prevented him from achieving his sub-three-hour goal.
Speaking after the race, Niani said the Chicago Marathon held a special place in his heart and that he hoped to continue participating as long as his health and circumstances allowed. He described the 26.2-mile race as a demanding test of endurance, adding that conditions were not ideal this year.
Among other Pakistani participants, Mustafa from Karachi finished in 3 hours, 29 minutes and 18 seconds, while Abubakar Muhammad Afzal completed the race in 3 hours, 32 minutes and 39 seconds. Pakistani-American runner Babar Ghiyas crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 42 minutes and 44 seconds.
New York-based Bushra Anjum was the leading Pakistani woman highlighted in the report, finishing in 3 hours, 31 minutes and 1 second. She had completed the half-marathon distance in 1 hour, 41 minutes and 34 seconds before slowing during the second half.
Other participants included Ibrahim Abdul Khaliq of Riyadh, who finished in 3:44:01, and 67-year-old Hamid Butt of Lahore, who completed the course in 3:49:48. Butt has earned the distinction of being a Six Star Finisher twice.
Taimoor Malik finished in 4:05:34, British Pakistani Hassan Ali in 4:14:55, Basil Khan in 4:16:56 and Sarah Rathore in 4:22:06.
Imad Sheikh completed the race in 4:38:09, while British Pakistani Warda Mir finished in 5:03:55. Ghassan Tayyab recorded 5:12:21, Zara Ordonez 5:16:36, Hassan Saleem 5:17:05 and Daniyal Amir Lakdawala 5:18:06.
Karachi’s Anees Kasmani finished in 5 hours and 25 minutes, followed by British Pakistani Hammad Ali in 5:29:05, Ahmed Zubair in 5:32:08 and Ayesha Intisar of Karachi in 5:35:14.
Mike Nethavrianakis, a former British diplomat who served in Pakistan, also took part, completing the marathon in 3 hours, 18 minutes and 4 seconds. He participated to raise donations for The Citizens Foundation, an organisation working to promote education in Pakistan.
The Chicago Marathon is one of the world’s major marathon events. More than 55,000 runners reportedly participated this year in the 42.195-kilometre race, which started and finished at Grant Park and passed through 29 neighbourhoods across the city.
In the men’s elite race, Kenya’s Amos Kipruto won the title in 2:01:09. Ethiopia’s Tadese Bekele finished second in 2:02:56, while Milkesa Mengesha took third place in 2:03:46.
Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa won the women’s elite race in 2:13:33, defending her title. Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi finished second in 2:14:07, followed by Brigid Kosgei in 2:14:55.
The women’s race also reportedly made history, with three athletes finishing in under 2 hours and 15 minutes.