Pakistani athletes earned global recognition at the Sydney Marathon 2025 as Karachi’s Faisal Shafi set a Guinness World Record by completing the race in light military uniform. His remarkable effort paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces and highlighted the country’s growing presence on the international running stage, making this achievement a proud national moment.
Faisal Shafi finished the 42.195-kilometre marathon in three hours, 40 minutes, and 13 seconds. Despite the challenges of running in uniform, he achieved a new world record in this special category. His dedication not only honored the sacrifices of Pakistan’s martyrs but also brought the country recognition at a historic event, which was Sydney’s debut as part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
Alongside Shafi’s record, Australian-based Ali Zaidi led the Pakistani contingent with a finishing time of 3:05:33, followed by Islamabad’s Bilal Ehsan with 3:15:03. Runners including Fahd Mukhtar, Hamid Butt, and Bacha Hussain also secured strong performances. Overall, 16 Pakistani athletes completed the marathon in under four hours, reflecting the rapid growth of the country’s distance running community.
Notably, several Pakistani runners also became Seven Star Finishers, completing all Abbott World Marathon Majors after Sydney’s inclusion. Among them were Fahd Mukhtar, Hamid Butt, Dr. Salman Khan, Jamal Khan, Huma Rahman, Yusra Bokhari, and Ziyad Raheem. Their achievements place Pakistan among the few countries with multiple athletes in this elite group of international marathoners.
Moreover, Pakistani women runners also delivered inspiring performances. Led by Huma Rahman with a time of 3:38:09, others such as Khoula Ahmed, Semeena Khan, and Neelab Kayani completed the tough course with determination. Pakistani-American Yusra Bokhari described earning her Seven Star status on Sydney’s demanding route as both a blessing and a dream, representing resilience and pride for Pakistani women.
The Sydney Marathon’s new status as the seventh World Major Marathon added prestige to this year’s race. With 36 Pakistani participants, including 10 women, the event marked a milestone for the nation’s athletics, proving Pakistani athletes can shine on the world’s toughest running stages.