Key points
- This is the 5th edition of Islamabad Marathon
- Will be held on January 26, 2025
- Event attracts local, international male and female athletes
- Categories include 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km, and 5km
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Marathon 2025, an annual event organised by Islamabad Run with Us (IRU), will be held on 26 January.
The IRU is a community-based running organization in Islamabad, Pakistan, dedicated to promoting fitness, health, and a vibrant running culture through organized marathons and running events.
Hitherto, more than 3,000 participants have applied for the mega-running event including males, females, and children.
The race will start from Trail 3 Parking, F-6, Islamabad. Details about the race routes for each category will be shared a few days before the event, according to the organisers.
Race categories
The race would be held in five different categories: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10-kilometre Race, Five km Race, and Kids Fun Race.
The full marathon race consists of a 42.2-kilometre (km) distance. Participants are required to complete this challenging course within six hours. This is designed for seasoned and elite runners, trying to test their endurance after months of training.
“Long-distance running takes months of continuous training along with proper guidance, diet, rest, and recovery sessions,” says Muhammad Fida (known locally as Fida Lala), a 51-year-old ultra-marathoner from Rawalpindi. He ran for 49 hours in a separate event organised by Margalla Trail Runners annually in December, covering around 6.706 km each hour.
Likewise, a half marathon race consisting of 21.1km needs to be completed in a 3-hour cut-off time which refers to the maximum time allowed for race participants to complete their respective categories. Half marathon caters to runners aiming for a substantial yet achievable distance.
“Very excited”
It also needs training and endurance. “I am excited to achieve my personal best in this category in the coming event,” says Muhammad Masood, who started running a year ago and had his first half marathon two months ago in Islamabad with the help of IRU.
View this post on Instagram
Muhammad Abubakar Tahir says, “I have been a member of IRU (Speed Squad) for the past two years. I will be participating in the half marathon. I am very excited about the event, even though I have already participated in many races.”
Moreover, 10km race is a popular choice among both competitive runners and fitness enthusiasts, featuring a 1.5-hour time limit. Muhammad Qasim Khan from Bannu says, “Last time, I completed 10km in 40 minutes. This year, I want to finish in around 38 minutes.”
A race for beginners
Similarly, a 5-kilometer race is an ideal option for beginners and those looking to enjoy a shorter run, with a 1-hour cut-off time. “I am aiming for an easy run after I got injured several months ago. It will be my first run after the long injury; I am very much excited about it.”
Kids Fun Run is a family-friendly event, that encourages children to participate and experience the joy of running. “I asked my uncle to buy me new shoes for the race. I want to run like my uncle does,” says Maham Tanveer, a seven-year-old.
Each race category presents separate divisions for male and female participants, ensuring inclusivity and fair competition.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in all categories, besides they will be conferred upon medals, with early bird registrants guaranteed medals. It refers to a special reduced registration fee offered to participants who sign up for the event during an initial promotional period before the standard registration phase begins.
Emerging runners
Umar Zaman, 20-year-old, a leading member of Speed Squad of IRU, says, “I have been in bed for six months in 2022 as a result of my kidney stones. I started running and achieved milestones one after the other. I joined IRU and became a member of its elite runners’ squad: the IRU Speed Squad.”
Enub Khan, a 26-year-old, female athlete and a role model for young girls, who want to take part in running-related activities, narrates, “I used to play badminton sometimes. Because of COVID-19, I started running in 2020. Slowly and gradually, my stamina started building up. Now, I can run ultra-marathons. I think IRU is doing a great job of introducing running culture in Pakistan.”
“Fantastic experience”
Luca Nichetti, an Italian runner, says, “I have mostly participated in races across Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Taiwan. After completing a half marathon and a backyard ultra, this will be my third run in Islamabad. So far, my experience running in Pakistan has been nothing short of fantastic, and I am looking forward to this race.”
Jelle Beekma, who is a professional runner from Netherlands, appreciates the scenic beauty of Pakistan by saying, “I love the greenery, mountains which refresh my spirits. Islamabad Marathon is special because you never get bored while running for hours. I am looking forward to the 26th of January.”
According to the organisers, IRU actively promotes fitness and community engagement through regular training sessions and group runs open to all.
Their weekly events include Monday evening interval training at the Sports Complex, Thursday Trail 4 runs, a scenic Friday night 10-mile run from Shalimar Cricket Ground, and a relaxed Sunday Community Day at F-9 Park.
“These sessions help runners of all levels prepare for major events like the Islamabad Marathon while fostering a positive, health-focused community spirit. All IRU activities are free, encouraging participation from diverse fitness enthusiasts and promoting a vibrant running culture in Islamabad,” said the team members.
The founder of the IRU, Qasim Naz, while talking to WE News, said, “We started the Islamabad Marathon in 2020. The first of its kind in the capital city to promote running culture not only in Islamabad but the whole of Pakistan. We organise it every year along with a plethora of other events and weekly activities, which anyone can join, that is completely free and welcoming.”
“In the last marathon, we had around 2,500 participants along with a total of 4,000 spectators. However, this year, we are expecting more than 3,000 participants, out of which, a 1,000 have already registered, with a total footfall of 5,000.”
“Brent Weigner, who holds the record for running the most marathons in the world, also joined last year (in 2024) to run his 398th marathon in his 205th country. He came to Pakistan to participate in the Islamabad Marathon,” Qasim Naz told WE News.
He said, “Every year thousands of runners participate in the Islamabad Marathon; a lot of athletes from the diplomatic community, and the foreign embassies join us. Even international athletes, from various countries around the world, visit Pakistan to participate in the ever-expanding Islamabad Marathon.”
“The marathon has become a cornerstone event in Pakistan’s running calendar, attracting a diverse group of participants from beginners to elite athletes. The 2025 edition is the fifth marathon, reflecting the growing popularity of long-distance running in the region,” said the event organisers.
PICTURES FROM ISLAMABAD MARATHON 2024
