Faisal Shafi Creates Guinness World Record in Sydney Marathon
Pakistani runner Faisal Shafi from Karachi made history at the Sydney Marathon 2025 by completing the 42.195 km race in 3 hours, 40 minutes, and 13 seconds while wearing a light military uniform. His performance earned him a Guinness World Record in the category and paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces. Shafi described the feat as both a challenge and an honour, proudly dedicating his run to martyrs and soldiers. His achievement also secured his seventh star in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, making him part of an elite Pakistani group.
Ali Zaidi Leads Pakistani Contingent with Fastest Time
The fastest Pakistani finisher was Australia-based Ali Zaidi, who clocked 3:05:33. He was followed by Islamabad’s Bilal Ehsan at 3:15:03 and Multan’s Fahd Mukhtar at 3:29:21. Other standout performances came from Hamid Butt of Lahore, Bacha Hussain of Karachi, and Ammar Mumtaz of Islamabad. Overall, 16 Pakistani runners finished under four hours, showcasing the rising standard of the country’s running community on the global stage.
Pakistani Women Runners Deliver Strong Performances
Among the 36 Pakistani participants, 10 women successfully completed the marathon. British-Pakistani runner Huma Rahman led the women’s contingent with a time of 3:38:09, also securing her seventh star. Other strong finishers included Norway-based Khoula Ahmed (3:52:53), UK’s Semeena Khan (4:10:07), and Rawalpindi’s Neelab Kayani (4:10:28). Pakistani-American runner Yusra Bokhari, who completed the marathon in 5:13:49, expressed pride in becoming one of the first Seven Star Finishers. She described the accomplishment as a blessing, highlighting her journey as both a Pakistani and a Muslim woman.
Sydney Marathon Joins Abbott World Marathon Majors
This year’s Sydney Marathon marked its debut as the seventh member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, joining Boston, London, Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. The challenging course tested runners with steep hills, winding paths around Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, and scenic stretches past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. For Pakistan, the event represented not only athletic excellence but also growing international recognition of its marathon community.
