Lahore Marathon 2025 highlights Pakistan's budding culture of running

The provincial capital of Punjab on Sunday hosted the much-anticipated Lahore Marathon 2025, marking the final event in the series of three major city marathons held across Pakistan.

Following the success of marathons in Karachi and Islamabad, the Lahore Marathon capped off the nationwide series, which continues to grow in popularity year after year.

This year’s event saw an unprecedented turnout, with participants traveling from all across Pakistan, including Karachi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, KP and Quetta, with the largest number of runners coming from Islamabad.

The marathon also attracted international participants, including diplomats and athletes from around the globe, showcasing the international appeal of the event. This year also saw the first use of RFID chips for a running event in Lahore, ensuring that the race met international standards for timing and results.

The race kicked off early at 6 am, a welcome change that allowed runners to compete in cooler temperatures. The timely start was appreciated by participants, reflecting the organisers’ commitment to respecting the athletes and celebrating their hard work.

Falcon Triathlon Club FTC, the team behind the marathon, focused on punctuality and also race day experience as a top priority, and the success of the event was a testament to this dedication.

The marathon featured several categories, including the full marathon, half marathon and 5km race for both male and female competitors, along with a kids’ fun run. The event was a true celebration of athleticism, unity and community, drawing people from diverse backgrounds. 

Israr Khattak (IRC) claimed the top spot in the full marathon, finishing first, followed by Mubariz Bukhari (IRC) in second place and Mumtaz Khan (KJFC) securing third.

Christina from Austria finished in first place for the female full marathon.

Kamran Sahi (KJFC) clinched the first position in the half marathon whereas Muhammad Ijaz (KJFC) and Umar Zaman (IRU) secured the second and third spots, respectively.

In the female half marathon, Livia emerged as the winner while Aqsa Jafar (Punjab Athletics Academy) took second and Khadija Afiyat (Punjab Athletics Academy) finished third.

Muhammad Bilal from Punjab Athletics Academy triumphed in the 5km male category, followed by Muhammad Arfan (KJFC) in second place and Abdul Wahab (Punjab Athletics Academy) in third.

The top spot in the 5km female race went to Irum Shahzadi from KJFC, with Mahnoor Afzal (KJFC) finishing in second place and Kashaf Shafeeq (Punjab Athletics Academy) securing third.

Apart from runners from Belgium, Russia, Thailand and the United States (US), a large number of expats also participated in the marathon that was declared a resounding success by visitors and spectators alike.

While the punctuality of the event, attention to detail and the ability to celebrate each runner’s achievements all added to a great experience for participants, it also went on to reflect the budding culture of running in Pakistan.