SYDNEY: For 24 Pakistani and Pakistani-origin runners, the Sydney Marathon is about far more than completing the gruelling 42.195-kilometre distance.
Runners from Karachi, Islamabad, Sydney, Adelaide, the United States, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia have come together to represent Pakistan on one of the biggest stages in international distance running.
The Sydney Marathon will take place on Sunday, August 30, and has rapidly established itself as one of the world’s leading marathon events. Sydney became the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major in 2025, while the addition of Cape Town in 2026 has expanded the prestigious series to eight races.
More than 40,000 runners from around the world are expected to participate, turning the streets of Sydney into a major international celebration of distance running.
Among the participants will be a 24-member Pakistani contingent, consisting of 19 men and five women.
Pakistani Runners Representing the Country
Ten members of the Pakistani group are travelling from Pakistan, while five are based in Australia. The wider contingent also includes runners living in the United States, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
Representing Karachi are Khalid Sheikh, Dr Jahanzeb Mughal, Nosherwan Ali, Shoaib Nizami, Ali Kazi, Danish Elahi, Husnain Dharamsey, Yousuf Malik and Geo News Deputy Sports Editor Faizan Lakhani.
The women’s contingent includes Kaukab Sarwar, Dr Rabia Naeem, Mehwish Bilal, Hira Diwan and Syeda Maimoona Hamdani.
Other members of the Pakistani contingent include Ali Zaidi, Aamar Butt, Qamar Zia, Junaid Memon, Zain Alam, Naveed Hasan, Umer Rasheed, Tabish Mukhtar, Mir Shahzad and Dr Adnan Afzal.
Five members of the group are already Six Star Marathon finishers, bringing valuable experience to a contingent that reflects the growing presence of Pakistani runners on the international marathon circuit.
A Spectacular Sydney Marathon Course
The Sydney Marathon offers runners one of the most visually striking courses in the world.
The 42.195-kilometre race begins in North Sydney before taking participants across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. The route passes through some of Sydney’s best-known locations, including The Rocks, Circular Quay, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour and Pyrmont.
Runners then head towards Moore Park and Centennial Parklands before making their way back towards the city.
The final stages take participants through the Royal Botanic Garden and past the area around Mrs Macquarie’s Chair before heading towards the spectacular finish near the Sydney Opera House at Circular Quay.
Despite the stunning scenery, the course presents a significant physical challenge. Several undulating sections require runners to manage their energy carefully, particularly during the second half of the race.
Pakistani Runners Have Different Goals
The 24 Pakistani runners arrive in Sydney with different ambitions.
Some are targeting personal best times, while others hope to complete another World Marathon Major. For some participants, however, the most important objective is simply to experience the unique opportunity of running through Sydney while carrying or representing the Pakistani flag.
Danish Elahi, who is competing in his seventh marathon, plans to make his representation particularly visible by running in shalwar kameez.
Elahi said he wants to use the occasion to present a positive image of Pakistan and raise awareness about his country.
“I am running in shalwar kameez tomorrow. I want to create a soft image for Pakistan and create awareness of my beloved country. This is my seventh marathon, and I’m super excited for this. Sydney is a city to run in. Pakistan Zindabad!” Elahi said.
For fellow runner Husnain Dharamsey, the immediate goal is more straightforward: finishing the race.
After months of preparation with SVRC, Dharamsey is aiming for a finishing time of approximately five to five-and-a-half hours, although he remains focused primarily on completing the demanding course.
“I have been training hard for the last few months with SVRC, where Adnan Gandhi was very helpful. I’ll try to complete it in five to five-and-a-half hours, but right now I’m just eyeing to finish,” he said.
Marathon Carries a Broader Pakistan Connection
The Sydney Marathon will also feature former British Deputy High Commissioner Mike Nithavrianakis, whose participation has a strong connection to Pakistan.
Although he is not part of the Pakistani contingent, Nithavrianakis is using his marathon challenge to raise funds and awareness for The Citizens Foundation (TCF), a Pakistani education organisation.
He has set an ambitious fundraising target of $1 million during 2026.
Sydney is the third of six marathons Nithavrianakis is running this year. His challenge began with the London Marathon and continued in Milan before Sydney. He plans to run the Chicago and New York marathons before completing the challenge with the Karachi Marathon.
Nithavrianakis is currently dealing with an injury, meaning his immediate target is simply to complete the Sydney course, preferably in under four hours. His larger goal, however, is focused on supporting education and fundraising for Pakistan.
A Proud Moment for Pakistani Running
The participation of 24 Pakistani and Pakistani-origin runners gives the Sydney Marathon added significance for Pakistan’s growing running community.
While every runner will have a different target, from breaking a personal record to completing a World Marathon Major or simply reaching the finish line, they will share the experience of representing Pakistan at one of the world’s premier marathon events.
For some, Sunday’s race will be measured in hours and minutes. For others, it will be remembered as an opportunity to carry the Pakistani identity onto an international sporting stage.
With thousands of athletes expected to line up across Sydney, the Pakistani contingent will be among the many stories that make the city’s marathon more than just a race — it will be a celebration of endurance, identity, ambition and global sporting community.
