24 Pakistani Runners Set for Sydney Marathon Challenge

SYDNEY: (Sports Reporter) – The Sydney Marathon is set to take place in Australia tomorrow, attracting more than 40,000 runners from around the world, including 24 Pakistani and Pakistani-origin athletes.

The Pakistani contingent comprises 19 men and five women, with participants based in Pakistan as well as Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. Twelve runners have travelled from Pakistan to take part in the prestigious race.

Representing Karachi are Khalid Sheikh, Dr Jahanzeb Mughal, Noshirwan Ali, Shoaib Nizami, Ali Qazi, Danish Elahi, Hasnain Dharmse and Yousaf Malik.

The women’s contingent includes Kokub Sarwar, Dr Rabia Naeem, Mehwish Bilal, Hira Diwan and Syeda Maimunah Hamdani.

Other Pakistani runners on the start list are Ali Zaidi, Aamir Butt, Qamar Zia, Junaid Memon, Zain Alam, Naveed Hassan, Omar Rashid, Tabish Mukhtar, Mir Shahzad and Dr Adnan Afzal. Geo News Deputy Sports Editor Faizan Lakhani is also set to participate.

Running for Pakistan in Shalwar Kameez

Karachi-born runner Danish Elahi plans to give the marathon a distinctly Pakistani touch by running the race in a shalwar kameez.

Elahi said his aim is to showcase a soft and positive image of Pakistan while creating greater awareness about the country among international participants and spectators.

The Sydney Marathon will be his seventh marathon, and he said he was excited about taking part in the event, describing Sydney as an ideal city for running.

The 42.195-kilometre race will begin in North Sydney. Runners will cross the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and pass through landmarks including The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour before finishing near the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Joins Elite Marathon Series

The Sydney Marathon became part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2025. With Cape Town joining the series in 2026, the number of World Marathon Majors has now increased to eight.

Former British Deputy High Commissioner Mike Nathavarianakis will also compete in the race, although he is not officially part of the Pakistani contingent. His participation, however, is linked to Pakistan through his fundraising campaign for The Citizens Foundation, which works to expand access to education in Pakistan.

Nathavarianakis is aiming to raise US$1 million through six marathons in 2026. The Sydney Marathon will be the third event in his six-race fundraising campaign.