Pakistani Runners Prepare for the 2025 London Marathon

As dawn breaks over London this Sunday, a dedicated group of 30 runners from Pakistan and of Pakistani descent are set to participate in the 2025 London Marathon, joining over 50,000 athletes. Among them, 64-year-old Hamid Butt from Lahore is poised to achieve a historic milestone, potentially becoming the first Pakistani to twice complete the prestigious six-star marathon journey, having previously conquered all six World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York).

This diverse assembly of competitors highlights Pakistan’s increasing prominence in the global marathon community. Participants come from various nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Norway, and Saudi Arabia. Some athletes are arriving in London after recently finishing the Boston Marathon.

Hira Diwan, a UK-based runner who completed the Boston Marathon alongside Salman Ilyas and Aamer Butt from the U.S., shared her excitement: “Last year in London, I saw runners in their Boston jackets and hoped to be one of them. It’s amazing that it’s happening this year.”

The London event holds particular importance for Semeena Khan, a British-Pakistani advocate for diversity, who will participate in her sixth London Marathon while serving as Community Lead for Muslim Runners UK.

Mona Khan, a Karachi-based TV anchor, has undergone rigorous training to prepare for the marathon. Under the guidance of Muhammad Yousuf Malik, her journey to London involved significant dedication. Mona stated, “For Pakistani runners, every track is a struggle, but we run with passion. I’ve adapted my lifestyle, faced physical changes, and dealt with injuries, but I persist. Nothing will deter me.”

For Furqan Masood from Islamabad, the marathon represents a significant personal achievement. His evolution from a casual runner to a marathon competitor reflects Pakistan’s expanding running scene. “I’ll be at the London Marathon 2025, alongside 55,000 runners from across the globe,” Masood said. “Joining IRC three years ago transformed a simple fitness routine into a mission to build strength, motivate others, and demonstrate the power of discipline.”

Hira Mufti, a 42-year-old British-Pakistani mother of three, views Sunday’s race as a personal challenge and a tribute to her heritage. “As a proud Pakistani Muslim and mother, I’m running to honor my late father, who instilled in me resilience, endurance, compassion, and love for my country and humanity,” Mufti explained, highlighting the symbolism of her run.

Amy Mir, a Norwegian-Pakistani runner, sees her marathon participation as part of a broader athletic journey. She humorously noted, “I started running from birth. My sports journey includes soccer, sprinting, trail running, Muay Thai, kayaking, triathlon, skiing expeditions, and mountaineering. The marathon is just one step toward my goal of reaching the K2 summit in 2026, InshaAllah.”

List of Pakistani and Pakistani-Origin Participants:
  • Semeena Khan (UK)
  • Amy Raza (USA)
  • Ayesha Akhtar (USA)
  • Hira Mufti (UK)
  • Saniya Zafar (UAE)
  • Hira Diwan (UK)
  • Muhammad Yousuf Malik (Pakistan)
  • Muhammad Fasih Saleh (Norway)
  • Shazia Nawaz (UAE)
  • Hamid Butt (Pakistan)
  • Salman Ilyas (USA)
  • Aamer Butt (USA)
  • Hamad Ali (UK)
  • Imran Zaffar (UK)
  • Adnan Ozair (UK)
  • Raja Arif Ullah Khan (Saudi Arabia)
  • Faisal Saif (UAE)
  • Abu-Bakr Mohammad Afzal (UK)
  • Furqan Masood (Pakistan)
  • Hamza Saleem (Pakistan)
  • Atiq Ul Hasan (USA)
  • Raees Ebrahim (USA)
  • Zawar Khan (UK)
  • Nadeem Iqbal (UK)
  • Taha Ghafoor (UK)
  • Mona Khan (Pakistan)
  • Junaid Memon (USA)
  • Khalid Sheikh (Pakistan)
  • Kamran Abbasi (UK)
  • Amy Mir (Norway)