Karachi Runners Aim for Guinness World Record at Boston Marathon in Shalwar Qameez

As the 129th Boston Marathon gears up to host a multitude of athletes on April 21st, a contingent of 18 Pakistani runners, both residing in Pakistan and abroad, are preparing to create a memorable mark.

Among this group, Danish Elahi and Faisal Shafi, two runners hailing from Karachi, will be making an attempt at a Guinness World Record. Their goal is to complete the marathon in traditional Pakistani attire, the Shalwar Qameez, in under four hours, on what is considered one of the world’s most demanding marathon routes.

While Danish and Faisal pursue a world record, five additional runners, along with Danish Elahi, are poised to achieve the esteemed Six Star Finisher status at Boston. This places them among an exclusive group of athletes who have successfully completed all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, which include Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, London, and Tokyo.

Adnan Gandhi, Hira Diwan, Yusra Bokhari, Nizar Nayani, and Jamal Khan are among the athletes set to conclude their sixth major world marathon this coming Monday.

The Boston Marathon, recognized as the planet’s oldest continuously held marathon, is expected to draw over 50,000 participants this year. An estimated one million spectators are anticipated to line the 26.2-mile course, which stretches from Hopkinton to Boylston Street. Renowned for its challenging hilly terrain, notably the infamous Heartbreak Hill around Mile 20, the race will test the endurance of even the most experienced runners. For the Pakistani competitors, this marathon signifies not only personal accomplishment but also a chance to highlight national pride and determination.

A WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT IN NATIONAL ATTIRE

Danish Elahi and Faisal Shafi’s ambitious bid to establish a world record for the quickest marathon time in Shalwar Qameez has garnered significant interest. According to Elahi, the concept stemmed from a wish to showcase Pakistan on a worldwide stage.

“Faisal desired me to undertake this final, six-star marathon to symbolize more than just the six-star achievement. It’s about making it a record-breaking accomplishment for Pakistan and as a Pakistani,” Elahi stated. “We aim to represent Pakistan in Boston amidst approximately 50,000 runners and an audience exceeding one million, running not only in our national attire but also in our national colors. I hope that this will be a lasting and positive memory of Pakistan for people worldwide.”

Shafi, the originator of the idea, emphasized its cultural importance. “The core objective was to represent Pakistan and showcase our culture on a global scale,” he explained. “It’s not solely about setting a world record but also about portraying a positive image of Pakistan and our culture, while also etching Pakistan’s name in the record books.”

The current unofficial record was established by Prakash Banisetty, who attempted the feat in 2018 but did not meet the sub-four-hour requirement. However, Elahi and Shafi express confidence in their training, while acknowledging the specific hurdles of training in traditional clothing.

“We haven’t thoroughly tested extensive runs in Shalwar Qameez during our preparation,” Shafi conceded, noting difficulties in completing Guinness documentation. Meanwhile, Elahi remains optimistic: “Hopefully, it won’t pose a problem, and we’ll successfully cross the finish line.”

SIX STARS AND A DREAM: PAKISTANI RUNNERS COMPLETE THEIR MARATHON MAJORS JOURNEY

For Danish Elahi, Adnan Gandhi, Hira Diwan, Yusra Bokhari, Nizar Nayani, and Jamal Khan, the Boston Marathon marks the end of years of persistent effort. Completing all six World Marathon Majors is an uncommon achievement, with only about 17,000 runners across the globe holding the Six Star Finisher title.

Adnan Gandhi, a runner based in Karachi, has played a crucial role in promoting marathon running in Pakistan. His journey to Boston was especially challenging, coinciding with Ramadan.

“I had mixed feelings about participating in Boston this year, knowing that my most demanding six weeks would also need me to train during Ramadan,” he admitted. However, the running community offered significant support. “My running companions trained alongside me virtually every night. I ran almost 400 kilometers in March, almost all of it with SVRC members,” he added.

Gandhi mentioned the London Marathon 2022 as a particularly memorable race. “The entire marathon experience, from the expo to the impeccable organization and race support, was simply superb.” Looking ahead, he plans to further expand Pakistan’s marathon presence. “In a nation as vast as Pakistan, we should organize three to five marathons annually,” Adnan suggested.

For Hira Diwan, one of just four female runners of Pakistani heritage at this year’s Boston Marathon, the race marks the culmination of a journey spanning 14 years.

“This finish line will be very emotionally charged for me,” she stated. “The discipline required to train race after race while juggling work, life, and now single motherhood—it all accumulates,” Hira noted.

Hira intends to soak in the ambiance during her run at the Boston Marathon, choosing to concentrate on the experience rather than focusing on her timing.

“I’m thrilled to run in a race where I’m not preoccupied with time but can fully experience the atmosphere. Boston features a finish line marked as ‘Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston.’ I am eagerly looking forward to making those turns just before reaching the finish line,” she shared.

Training for the Boston Marathon was difficult, specifically during Ramadan. “So many hills! And numerous very early solitary morning runs,” she recalled. Nevertheless, her main objective remains to motivate more Pakistani women to take up running.

“I aspire to inspire more women to get out there and begin running,” she said. “It can be challenging in our society to explain why you run these considerable distances, and it becomes even more difficult as a female runner,” she explained.

Despite the obstacles, she perceives positive changes, “Thanks to run clubs like SVRC, there is now a setting where women can feel safer and receive more support,” Hira added.

Danish Elahi, who is also aiming for a world record alongside Faisal Shafi, will also complete his 6th major marathon on Monday, attaining the distinction of a 6-star-finisher.

“This means the world to me. It’s not just a personal achievement; it’s a tribute to my family, especially the support from my parents, wife, and children throughout this journey. It also symbolizes Pakistan on a global platform and aims to inspire the younger generation in our local running community to pursue similar objectives in the future,” Danish shared before his departure to Boston.

Among the 18 Pakistani athletes participating in Boston, nine reside in the U.S., while others come from the U.K., UAE, and Pakistan. Their participation emphasizes the global expansion of Pakistan’s running community.

Dr. Salman Khan, a five-time Boston finisher, and Aamer Butt, a four-time participant, stand out as some of the most seasoned runners. Meanwhile, Sadiq Shah, Ayaz Abdulla, Abdul Rehman, and Amin Mukaty are among those traveling directly from Pakistan, demonstrating the sport’s growing appeal in their home country.

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

“It overwhelms me with emotion,” Elahi expressed. “It is every athlete’s aspiration to represent their nation on a global stage, proudly displaying their flag and raising it high upon completing the race. It’s about showcasing Pakistan’s positive aspects to the world and shifting attention away from negativity.”

As these runners tackle Heartbreak Hill and the concluding stretch onto Boylston Street, their every step will embody not just individual goals but also a shared aspiration for more Pakistanis to embrace marathon running and for the world to view their nation in a new, favorable light.

List of Pakistani runners, including Pakistan-based and diaspora:
  • Dr. Salman Khan
  • Aamer Butt
  • Jamal Khan
  • Nizar Nayani
  • Hira Diwan (F)
  • Salman Ilyas
  • Yusra Bokhari (F)
  • Sara Lodhi (F)
  • Sadiq Shah
  • Adnan Gandhi
  • Ayaz Abdulla
  • Danish Elahi
  • Amin Mukaty
  • Abdul Rehman
  • Faisal Shafi
  • Omer Malik
  • Qamar Zia
  • Dr. Ravia Bokhari (F)