Summary Pakistani runners shine at the Chicago Marathon as Nizar Niani leads the field, while Bushra Anjum tops Pakistani women with impressive performances.
CHICAGO (Web Desk) Pakistani runners from around the world showcased their endurance at the Chicago Marathon in the United States, with Texas-based Nizar Niani emerging as one of the standout performers, finishing the 26.2-mile race in 3 hours and 45 seconds.
Niani narrowly missed his target of completing the marathon in under three hours by just 46 seconds. He covered the first 10 kilometres in 40 minutes and 22 seconds and reached the half-marathon mark in 1 hour, 25 minutes and 41 seconds. However, a slowdown during the second half prevented him from achieving his sub-three-hour goal.
Reflecting on the race, Niani said the Chicago Marathon holds a special place in his heart and that he intends to continue participating as long as he remains fit and God wills it.
Although conditions were not ideal this year, he described the 26.2-mile challenge as a demanding test of human courage and endurance.
Mustafa, from Karachi, finished in 3 hours, 29 minutes and 18 seconds, while New York-based Bushra Anjum was the leading Pakistani woman, completing the race in 3 hours, 31 minutes and 1 second.
Anjum reached the half-marathon mark in 1 hour, 41 minutes and 34 seconds but experienced a drop in pace during the second half of the race.
Abubakar Muhammad Afzal finished in 3 hours, 32 minutes and 39 seconds, followed by Pakistani-American Babar Ghias, who recorded a time of 3 hours, 42 minutes and 44 seconds.
Ibrahim Abdul Khaliq, based in Riyadh, completed the race in 3 hours, 44 minutes and 1 second. Hamid Butt, a 67-year-old runner from Lahore, crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 49 minutes and 48 seconds. Butt is a two-time Six Star Finisher, a distinction awarded to runners who complete all six original World Marathon Majors.
Other Pakistani participants included Taimoor Malik, who finished in 4 hours, 5 minutes and 34 seconds; British-Pakistani Hassan Ali, in 4 hours, 14 minutes and 55 seconds; Basil Khan, in 4 hours, 16 minutes and 56 seconds; and Sara Rathore, in 4 hours, 22 minutes and 6 seconds.
Imad Sheikh completed the course in 4 hours, 38 minutes and 9 seconds, while British-Pakistani Warda Mir finished in 5 hours, 3 minutes and 55 seconds. Ghassan Tayyab recorded 5 hours, 12 minutes and 21 seconds, followed by Zara Ordonez in 5 hours, 16 minutes and 36 seconds, Hassan Saleem in 5 hours, 17 minutes and 5 seconds, and Daniyal Amir Lakdawala in 5 hours, 18 minutes and 6 seconds.
Anees Kasmani of Karachi finished in 5 hours and 25 minutes. British-Pakistani Hammad Ali recorded 5 hours, 29 minutes and 5 seconds, while Ahmed Zubair completed the race in 5 hours, 32 minutes and 8 seconds. Ayesha Intisar, also from Karachi, finished in 5 hours, 35 minutes and 14 seconds.
Former British diplomat Mike Nithavrianakis, who previously served in Pakistan, also took part in the marathon, finishing in 3 hours, 18 minutes and 4 seconds. He ran to raise funds for The Citizens Foundation, an organisation dedicated to improving access to education in Pakistan.
The Chicago Marathon is one of the world's premier marathon events and a member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. More than 55,000 runners participated in this year's race, which covered 42.195 kilometres through 29 Chicago neighbourhoods, starting and finishing at Grant Park.
In the men's elite competition, Kenya's Amos Kipruto claimed the title in 2 hours, 1 minute and 9 seconds. Ethiopia's Tadese Bekele finished second in 2 hours, 2 minutes and 56 seconds, while compatriot Milkesa Mengesha took third place in 2 hours, 3 minutes and 46 seconds.
In the women's race, Ethiopia's Hawi Feysa successfully defended her title, finishing in 2 hours, 13 minutes and 33 seconds. Kenya's Sharon Lokedi secured second place in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 7 seconds, followed by compatriot Brigid Kosgei in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 55 seconds.
The women's elite race also made history, with three athletes finishing in under 2 hours and 15 minutes, highlighting the exceptional standard of competition at this year's event.
The performances of Pakistani runners from the United States, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom underlined the international community's growing presence at one of the world's most prestigious long-distance running events.
