Navigating Heartbreak Hill: A Crucial Point in the Boston Marathon

Veteran marathoners often caution about Heartbreak Hill, particularly to those from the United States. This advice was shared with me when I mentioned to Donald Bloome, former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, my intention to run the 2023 Boston Marathon.

Is Heartbreak Hill truly that significant? Absolutely, as it can challenge even the most seasoned runners.

Upon finishing the marathon, there isn’t a grand victory banner. However, after conquering the challenging ascent of Heartbreak Hill, a prominent banner reads, “Congratulations on Summiting Heartbreak Hill.” It marks the last of the Newton Hills, situated between the 32 and 34-kilometer points of the Boston course.

This marathon is so demanding that it tested the limits of world record holder Eliud Kipchoge in 2023, where he secured 6th place. Before the 128th Boston Marathon, he had only lost twice in his 17-marathon career. Since 1970 for men and 1972 for women, Boston has uniquely required qualification for participation.

For the 129th Boston Marathon, qualifiers who achieved times at least six minutes and 51 seconds (6:51) faster than their age and gender qualifying standards were accepted.

With 24,069 qualified applicants accepted, the race is predominantly a qualifier, with over 80% of participants meeting the time qualification, known as “BQ” in running circles. Qualifying for Boston is a highly regarded achievement in athletics.

Historical Significance and Trailblazers

The Boston Marathon’s fame stems from its rich history, challenging hills, and figures like Clarence DeMar, who defied doctors’ advice to quit running due to heart concerns. He not only continued but remarkably won the Boston Marathon seven times between 1910 and 1930.

The marathon is also renowned for Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run it in 1967. During the race, an official attempted to remove her by grabbing her bib number. Her partner, Thomas Miller, intervened, allowing her to finish.

Switzer’s participation led the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) to ban women from racing against men. In 1972, the Boston Marathon officially recognized a women’s race. Katherine Switzer later triumphed in New York in 1974, clocking 3:07:29. She last ran the Boston Marathon in 2017 at age 70.

Pakistani Participation and Achievements

How do Pakistani runners fare in this grueling marathon, where the men’s course record of 2:03:02, set by Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya in 2011, and the women’s record of 2:19:59, set by Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia in 2014, remain unbroken?

While Pakistani representation was minimal in the past, more runners from Pakistan are now participating and making their presence felt.

Overseas Pakistanis have been at the forefront, considering that three of the seven World Majors are in the U.S. This year marks the largest contingent to date, with 18 Pakistani participants, including 14 time-qualified runners, 11 of whom were admitted under the strict cut-off time.

The Pakistani lineup for Patriots’ Day, Monday, April 21, 2025, includes promising newcomers. Amin Mukaty, the youngest Pakistani qualifier, achieved his spot with a time of 2:46:43 at the Berlin Marathon (2023). He also completed the Chicago Marathon in October 2024 with a time of 2:44.

Abdul Rehman from Karachi qualified via his Berlin time of 2:50:10. The group includes four female runners, such as Sara Lodhi, based in the UAE, who qualified with a Berlin (2023) time of 3:17:41.

Hira Diwan, a Pakistani-British banker, qualified with a time of 3:30:10 and is among six Pakistanis, including Nizar Nayani, Jamal Khan, Adnan Gandhi, Yusra Bokhari, and Danish Elahi, set to become Abbott Six Star Finishers in Boston, although only three are officially registered as Pakistani nationals.

Currently, eight Pakistani athletes are recognized as Six Star Finishers in the Abbott Hall of Fame, with 10 Five Star Finishers awaiting their final World Major. Adnan Gandhi, who completed his first World Major in Chicago (2000) with a time of 3:21:13, qualified for Boston with a personal best of 3:13:42 in Tokyo.

Faster cut-off times prevented at least three runners who achieved a Boston Athletic Association qualifying time from participating.

Danish Elahi from Karachi, the fastest Pakistani runner in the 2024 New York Marathon, plans to run the Boston Marathon in shalwar kameez to set a Guinness World Record, alongside Faisal Shafi, a Six Star Finisher (2024). Faisal represented Pakistan at the Abbott Age Group Championship during the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

U.S.-based Pakistani nephrologist Dr. Salman Khan, a Six Star Finisher, is participating in his 5th Boston Marathon. He was the first Pakistani declared a Six Star Finisher upon completing the Tokyo Marathon (2023) in 3:11:01.

During that race, Hamid Butt, 64, from Lahore, also became a Six Star Finisher and will receive his second Six Star medal in London soon. Aisha Qamar, a U.S.-based runner of Pakistani descent, earned her Six Star medal in Tokyo (2023) with a time of 3:03:37. Prem Kumar, born in Quetta and now a Pakistani-U.S. runner, received his Six Star medal at the 2023 London Marathon.

Sadiq Shah, the fastest Pakistani runner in the 2023 London Marathon, has consistently achieved sub-3-hour times in World Marathon Majors. He requalified for Boston with a Berlin Marathon time of 2:52:16 and ran his first Boston Marathon last year in 2:57:05.

Nizar Nayani, 42, a Pakistani-U.S. runner from Texas, led the Pakistani groups in Chicago (2023) and Tokyo (2024), finishing in 2:54. Ayaz Abdullah from Karachi, a former long jump athlete, qualified for Boston in his first World Marathon Major in Berlin (2023).

Salman Ilyas, a Pakistani-U.S. mechanical engineer, qualified for Boston with a time of 2:57 and later completed the California International Marathon (2024) in 2:55.

Aamar Butt, 59, a UET Taxila alumnus based in New Jersey, is running his fourth Boston Marathon, having qualified with a time of 3:27 at the Revel Mountain Marathon (2024). He also reached the summit of Broad Peak in August 2024.

Jamal Khan, a Pakistani-U.S. banker in New Jersey originally from Islamabad, completed his 5th World Marathon Major in Tokyo and is now pursuing his 6th star in Boston.

Ravia Bokhari is running alongside her sister Yusra Bokhari, who is set to receive her Six Star medal. Qamar Zia, committed to a weight loss journey through marathons, plans to run three marathons in 2025, starting with the Boston Marathon.

Charitable Impact and Elite Athletes

The Boston Marathon Charity Programme, established in 1989, enables over 5,000 runners to participate through various charity initiatives.

In 2024, the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Programme reached a record fundraising total of $45.7 million, contributing to a total philanthropic impact of $71.9 million. Since its inception, the program has raised over $550 million.

In 2023, the South Asian Circle of Hopkinton became the most diverse non-profit organization to gain entry into the Boston Marathon, supported by the Jang Group, Geo TV, and the Pakistani community in Massachusetts.

In the elite women’s division, Hellen Obiri of Kenya will aim for her third consecutive victory. Only four other women have achieved this feat in the race’s history.

In the men’s division, defending champion Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia, the fourth-fastest man in history, will return. His competitors will include Evans Chebet of Kenya, a two-time winner, and John Korir of Kenya, the 2024 Chicago Marathon champion.

A Global Celebration of Sportsmanship

The Boston Marathon symbolizes sportsmanship, gender equality, diversity, and philanthropy. The marathon starts the global season, preceded by the Karachi Marathon in January, which allows Pakistani runners to achieve qualifying times on their home soil.

In April, Pakistanis also participated in the Antalya, Vienna, and Paris Marathons. The upcoming London Marathon is anticipated to be the largest globally in terms of participants, with over 30 Pakistani representatives.

Increased Pakistani presence can positively impact Pakistan’s image and create opportunities by showcasing the country’s athletic potential.