BOSTON: Pakistanis made their presence felt at the 129th edition of the prestigious Boston Marathon, with 18 athletes proudly representing the nation on the global stage. Of them, thirteen completed the demanding course in under four hours, a commendable feat in one of the world’s toughest marathons.
Amin Mukatay, a young runner from Karachi, emerged as the top Pakistani performer, clocking in at 2 hours and 48 minutes. He conquered the infamous Heartbreak Hill segment with grit and posted on Instagram: “Heartbreak Hill couldn’t break my heart.” He added, “The Boston Marathon tested my limits but I rose to the challenge. Proud to represent Pakistan on the world stage.”
Close behind was Abdur Rehman, also from Karachi, who finished the race in 2 hours and 51 minutes. Rehman called it the “best race” of his life and expressed pride in achieving the milestone.
Among the female participants, Sara Lodhi stood out, completing the marathon in 3 hours and 24 minutes. Her inspiring message resonated widely: “I would like my daughters to see no dream is impossible for women.”
Six Pakistani runners earned the coveted ‘six-star finisher’ status, having completed all six of the world’s major marathons. These elite runners include Danish Elahi, Adnan Gandhi, Hira Diwan, Jamal Khan, Yasra Bokhari, and Nizar Nayani.
Veteran runner Dr. Salman Khan completed the Boston Marathon for the fifth time and is already a recognized star finisher. Reflecting on the event, he said, “It’s an achievement that more and more Pakistanis are entering and excelling in such high-pressure international events.”
Held annually since 1897, the Boston Marathon remains one of the most prestigious races in the world. The 2025 edition attracted around 30,000 participants from across the globe, reinforcing its status as a top-tier sporting event.
Pakistan’s growing participation and success at this level signal a promising future for long-distance running in the country.
