KARACHI: When the starting gun goes off at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday (tomorrow), Pakistan’s colours will once again be represented on the streets of one of the world’s most iconic races. More than two dozen runners from Pakistan and members of the global Pakistani diaspora will take part in the marathon, each carrying stories of endurance, purpose, and national pride.
Among them is Faisal Shafi, a seven-star finisher and Guinness World Record holder who has become one of Pakistan’s most recognized marathon runners. At 43, Shafi is no stranger to global races, but this year’s run holds special meaning. He is dedicating his effort to raise five million rupees for families affected by Pakistan’s devastating floods. The funds, he said, will be distributed through the United Nations relief program.
“This year in Chicago, I will be running for a cause,” Shafi said before departing for the United States. “Marathons are not just about personal glory – they can serve as powerful platforms to raise awareness and help people in need. Our countrymen are still suffering due to the recent floods, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to step forward and support them.”
Shafi, who recently completed the Sydney Marathon to earn the prestigious “Seven Star” distinction, also holds a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon run in a combat uniform. The Chicago Marathon marks his second appearance in the event, adding another chapter to a career built on endurance, philanthropy, and national pride.
The Chicago Marathon, one of the six World Marathon Majors, is renowned for its flat, fast, and scenic course that winds through 29 neighborhoods. Since its inception in 1977, the race has grown into one of the most celebrated marathons in the world, attracting elite athletes and amateur runners alike. The course begins and ends in Grant Park, taking participants past Chicago’s famous landmarks — including the Loop, Lincoln Park Zoo, Wrigleyville, and Chinatown — with tens of thousands of spectators creating a festival-like atmosphere. Many of the sport’s greatest performances and world records have been set on its streets. Among the Pakistani participants, several women have emerged as trailblazers in the country’s growing running community. Sana Malik, a Karachi-based advertising professional, is returning to the global circuit after a year’s break. She began running recreationally before completing her first marathon in Amsterdam in 2022 with a time of 4 hours and 52 minutes. A year later, she improved her personal record in Berlin to 4:04.
“I’ve trained harder than I did for Berlin,” Malik said. “I have a 10-to-6 job in the advertising industry, so managing training was a challenge, but things don’t stop. Everyone at marathons aims for two things – the experience and achieving a personal best. I’ll be happy with anything under 4:04, but most importantly, I want to enjoy the run.”
For Dania Ali, another Karachi-based runner, the Chicago Marathon marks her debut in the World Marathon Majors. “I’ve been training with a coach who has run the course before, and my plan was structured around Chicago’s flat route,” she said. “My goal is to finish the race and enjoy every moment.”
Ali also highlighted the challenges women face while training in Pakistan. “We can’t just lace up and leave the house to run,” she said. “Training is limited to the relatively empty roads of Phase VIII and Zamzama Park. But the running community here is extremely supportive — there’s always someone willing to accompany you on long runs at 4 a.m. so you’re not alone on the road.”
For Karachi’s Yasir Memon, running a marathon is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. “The real race isn’t on October 12 in Chicago — it’s every single morning I’ve shown up to train throughout the year,” Memon said. “This journey reflects our national spirit. We keep pushing forward, no matter how tough the terrain gets. I dedicate my run to everyone back home who chooses faith over fear and keeps striving against the odds. Pakistan Zindabad.” From Islamabad, Yawar Siddiqui will also compete in Chicago with confidence built through recent experience. “After running Sydney and a few other tough courses this year, I’m looking forward to the flat streets of Chicago,” Siddiqui said. “It’s one of the fastest marathons in the world. I’ve built a solid base through Sydney, so this time the goal is clear — push for a personal best and execute perfectly.”
The Pakistani contingent includes runners from Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, as well as expatriates from the United Kingdom, United States, Norway, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Among the local runners are Yasir Memon, Shah Faisal Khan, Sana Malik, Yawar Siddiqui, Bilal Umar, Syed Ahsan Ejaz, Muhammad Tajdaar Iqbal, Saood Hamid, Dania Ali, Dr. Safdar Ali Sheikh, Dr. Fareed Sheikh, and Syeda Maimoona Hamdani. They will be joined by overseas Pakistanis, including Imran Zaffar and Maheen Sheikh from the United Kingdom; Salman Ilyas, Osman Sarood, Abbas Naqvi, Umer Shafiq, Nizar Nayani, Atiq ul Hassan, Aisha Qamar, Babar Ghias, Adnan Afzal, and M. Rizwan Khawaja from the United States; Khoula Ahmed from Norway; Shazia Nawaz from the UAE; and Raja Arif Khan from Saudi Arabia.
Together, they form one of the largest Pakistani contingents ever to participate in a World Marathon Major. Each runner brings a unique story of resilience and ambition — from Shafi’s humanitarian mission to Malik’s pursuit of personal excellence and Memon’s message of perseverance.
As they take their marks in Chicago this Sunday, these runners will not only be chasing their personal goals but also representing the growing spirit of Pakistan’s running community — one that runs with heart, unity, and pride.