2025 London Marathon
As the sun rises over London this Sunday, a determined group of 30 Pakistani and Pakistani-origin runners will line up alongside more than 50,000 athletes at the 2025 London Marathon, proudly representing Pakistan’s growing footprint in the world of marathon running.
Among these athletes, special attention will be on 64-year-old Hamid Butt from Lahore. He stands on the brink of making history as the first Pakistani to complete the prestigious six-star marathon achievement twice — having already conquered the six World Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York.
The group is as diverse as it is inspiring, with participants traveling from across the globe, including the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Norway, and Saudi Arabia. Several runners arrive with weary legs but unwavering spirit, having just completed the Boston Marathon last week.
“I ran London last year and remember seeing people in their Boston jackets collecting their London bibs, dreaming it would be me one day,” said Hira Diwan, a UK-based runner. This year, she has made that dream a reality alongside Salman Ilyas and Aamer Butt from the United States.
For British-Pakistani diversity advocate Semeena Khan, the marathon holds special meaning as she returns for her sixth London Marathon while serving as the Community Lead for Muslim Runners UK.
Meanwhile, from Pakistan itself, television anchor Mona Khan from Karachi arrives at the marathon after months of balancing an intense training regime with her demanding media career.
Coached by Muhammad Yousuf Malik, she described the journey as one of sacrifice and resilience: “For Pakistani runners, every running track is a battlefield.”
Furqan Masood from Islamabad, representing the Islamabad Running Club, views his participation as a personal milestone. “Three years ago, I started running for fitness. Tomorrow, I will join 55,000 runners from around the world — proof that discipline and resilience can achieve anything,” he said.
Another inspiring story is that of 42-year-old Hira Mufti from the UK. Running her first marathon, she sees the race as a tribute to her late father and a celebration of her Pakistani heritage. “I’m running 42 km at age 42 — every kilometer representing a wonderful year of my life,” she shared.
Adding to the dynamic mix is Norwegian-Pakistani runner Amy Mir, whose marathon participation is just another step on her journey toward even greater athletic goals. “Running was always in me,” she joked, revealing her ambitious plan to summit K2 in 2026.
These 30 runners — from different backgrounds but sharing one spirit — will proudly carry Pakistan’s name across the streets of London on Sunday, showing the world the passion, resilience, and heart of Pakistani athletes.
