Runners from across Pakistan compete in half marathon in DHA

Runners from across Pakistan defied scorching temperatures and 82% humidity to compete in the One Run half marathon in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area on Saturday.

The event, part of the global One Run series, included 21-kilometer, 10-kilometer, 5-kilometer, and 1-kilometer races, attracting athletes from diverse backgrounds, including members of the city’s expatriate community.

Muhammad Riaz won the men’s half marathon, with Riaz Ahmed and Safdar finishing second and third, respectively. In the women’s race, Mahnoor Fatima took first place, followed by Qandeel and Aqsa.

Organizer Shoaib Nizami commended Karachi’s resilience as the city hosted the event for the second straight year.

"It’s encouraging to see Karachi as part of this global running movement," Nizami told this reporter. "We plan to expand this event on an even larger scale in the future."

One Run Global coordinates half marathons in multiple cities on the same day to promote unity among runners. This year, Karachi’s participants battled not just the clock but also extreme weather, proving their determination in challenging conditions.