Pakistani Runners Set to Make Their Mark at the 129th Boston Marathon

As the 129th Boston Marathon gears up to welcome tens of thousands of athletes on April 21st, a contingent of 18 Pakistani runners, comprising both residents and expatriates, are preparing to leave their mark on the historic race.

Among them, Karachi’s own Danish Elahi and Faisal Shafi are targeting a Guinness World Record. They aim to complete the marathon in traditional Pakistani attire, the Shalwar Qameez, with a finishing time of under four hours on this notoriously challenging course.

While Elahi and Shafi chase a world record, five other athletes, in addition to Elahi, are poised to achieve the esteemed Six Star Finisher status at Boston. This accomplishment signifies their completion of all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, held in Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, London, and Tokyo.

Adnan Gandhi, Hira Diwan, Yusra Bokhari, Nizar Nayani, and Jamal Khan are among those set to complete their sixth major marathon on Monday.

The Boston Marathon, recognized as the world’s oldest annual marathon, anticipates over 50,000 participants this year. An estimated one million spectators are expected to line the 26.2-mile route from Hopkinton to Boylston Street. The course is well-known for its demanding inclines, most notably Heartbreak Hill near Mile 20, posing a significant test for even the most experienced marathoners.

For the Pakistani participants, this marathon represents more than just individual success; it’s an opportunity to exhibit national pride and demonstrate perseverance.

World Record Attempt in Shalwar Qameez

Danish Elahi and Faisal Shafi’s quest to establish a world record for the fastest marathon time in Shalwar Qameez has garnered considerable attention. Elahi explained that the concept originated from a desire to represent Pakistan on a global scale.

Elahi mentioned that Faisal wanted him to run this final, six-star marathon not only to achieve that milestone but also to secure a place in the record books for Pakistan. He added that they will be representing Pakistan in Boston amongst numerous runners and a massive crowd, running in their national dress and colours (green and white), aiming to leave a lasting positive impression of Pakistan.

Shafi highlighted the cultural importance of their endeavor. He stated that the goal was to showcase Pakistan and its culture on an international stage. He emphasized that it’s about presenting a positive image of Pakistan and its culture and etching Pakistan’s name in the world record books.

The existing unofficial benchmark was achieved by Prakash Banisetty from Canada in 2018; however, he did not complete the marathon in under four hours. Elahi and Shafi are confident in their preparation, although they acknowledged the unique challenges of training in traditional clothing.

Shafi acknowledged that they hadn’t tested extensive runs in Shalwar Qameez during training, pointing to logistical issues in finalizing Guinness documentation. However, Elahi expressed optimism, hoping it won’t pose a major challenge and that they will successfully cross the finish line.

Six Star Finishers

For Danish Elahi, Adnan Gandhi, Hira Diwan, Yusra Bokhari, Nizar Nayani, and Jamal Khan, Boston signifies the culmination of years of hard work. Finishing all six World Marathon Majors is an extraordinary achievement, with only approximately 17,000 runners worldwide holding the Six Star Finisher title.

Gandhi, who is based in Karachi, has played a vital role in nurturing Pakistan’s marathon culture. His journey to Boston coincided with Ramadan, making his preparation particularly demanding.

Gandhi admitted that he was secretly concerned about participating in Boston this year, as it meant training during Ramadan. However, the running community provided tremendous support. He ran nearly 400 kilometres in March, primarily with members of the SVRC running club.

Gandhi cited the London Marathon 2022 as a standout experience. He praised the exceptional organization and support. Following Boston, he intends to further develop Pakistan’s marathon scene, envisioning multiple marathons annually in the country.

Inspiring Women to Run

For Hira Diwan, one of only four Pakistani-origin women participating in Boston this year, the race marks the conclusion of a 14-year journey.

She conveyed that this finish will be deeply emotional for her. The dedication required to train consistently, balancing work, life, and single motherhood, has been significant.

Hira mentioned her desire to soak in the atmosphere of the Boston Marathon instead of focusing solely on her time.

She expressed her excitement to experience the iconic “Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston” turn near the finish line in Boston.

She acknowledged the challenges of training for the Boston Marathon, especially during Ramadan, mentioning the numerous hills and solitary early morning runs. Nevertheless, her primary goal is to encourage more Pakistani women to embrace running.

She hopes to inspire more women to start running, acknowledging the cultural challenges in explaining long-distance running, especially for women. However, she recognizes progress, with run clubs like SVRC providing a safer and more supportive environment for female runners.

Elahi, in addition to his world record attempt with Shafi, will also achieve the Six Star Finisher title by completing his sixth major marathon on Monday.

Elahi said it means everything to him, and it is not just a personal achievement but a tribute to his family’s unwavering support, especially from his parents, wife, and children. He said it represents Pakistan on a global platform and serves as inspiration for the local running community to pursue similar goals.

Among the 18 Pakistani runners at Boston, nine are based in the U.S., while others come from the U.K., UAE, and Pakistan, reflecting the global presence of Pakistan’s running community.

Dr. Salman Khan, a five-time Boston finisher, and Aamer Butt, a four-time participant, are among the most seasoned runners. Sadiq Shah, Ayaz Abdulla, Abdul Rehman, and Amin Mukaty are travelling directly from Pakistan, highlighting the growing popularity of the sport in their homeland.

For these athletes, Boston is more than just a race; it’s an opportunity to reshape perceptions of Pakistan.

Elahi conveyed that it’s every athlete’s dream to represent their country on the global stage, proudly displaying the flag and showcasing Pakistan’s positive image, shifting focus away from negative stereotypes.

As the runners tackle Heartbreak Hill and make their final sprint on Boylston Street, their efforts symbolize not only individual ambition but also a collective aspiration for more Pakistanis to embrace marathon running and for the world to perceive their nation in a new and favorable light.

List of Pakistani Runners

  • Dr. Salman Khan
  • Aamer Butt
  • Jamal Khan
  • Nizar Nayani
  • Hira Diwan
  • Salman Ilyas
  • Yusra Bokhari
  • Sara Lodhi
  • Sadiq Shah
  • Adnan Gandhi
  • Ayaz Abdulla
  • Danish Elahi
  • Amin Mukaty
  • Abdul Rehman
  • Faisal Shafi
  • Omer Malik
  • Qamar Zia
  • Dr. Ravia Bokhari