SYDNEY: More than 40,000 runners from around the world are expected to take part in the Sydney Marathon on Sunday, with 24 Pakistani and Pakistani-origin runners among those preparing to tackle the challenging 42.195-kilometre race.
The Pakistani contingent includes 19 men and five women, with participants based in Pakistan as well as Australia, the United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia. Twelve runners have travelled from Pakistan to take part in the major international event.
Among the runners from Karachi are Khalid Sheikh, Dr Jahanzeb Mughal, Noushiwan Ali, Shoaib Nizami, Ali Qazi, Danish Elahi, Hasnain Dharamsay and Yousuf Malik.
The women’s contingent includes Kokab Sarwar, Dr Rabia Naeem, Mahwish Bilal, Hira Diwan and Syeda Maimoona Hamdani.
Other Pakistani runners include Ali Zaidi, Aamir Butt, Qamar Zia, Junaid Memon, Zain Alam, Naveed Hassan, Umar Rashid, Tabish Mukhtar, Mir Shehzad and Dr Adnan Afzal. Geo News Deputy Sports Editor Faizan Lakhani is also listed among the participants.
One runner expected to attract particular attention is Danish Elahi from Karachi, who plans to run the marathon wearing a traditional shalwar kameez.
Elahi said his choice of clothing was intended to present a soft and positive image of Pakistan while helping introduce the country and its culture to an international audience. Sydney will be his seventh marathon, and he said he was excited to take part in what he considers an ideal city for running.
The race will begin in North Sydney and take runners across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, through The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour before finishing near the Sydney Opera House.
The Sydney Marathon became part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2025. With Cape Town joining in 2026, the series now comprises eight major marathons.
The event will also have a Pakistan-linked fundraising effort. Former British Deputy High Commissioner Mike Nethavrianakis is running to raise funds for The Citizens Foundation, which supports education in Pakistan.
He has set a target of raising $1 million through six marathons in 2026, with Sydney marking the third race in his campaign.
