The third edition of the Margalla Hills Half Marathon celebrated another successful year with a diverse array of participants from Islamabad, across Pakistan, and the diplomatic community.
The event drew nearly 200 enthusiastic runners and saw participation from young runners to representatives of the diplomatic community in Islamabad.
Margalla Hills Half Marathon
The Half Marathon is hosted by the Margalla Trail Runners (MTR), an Islamabad-based trail running club that aims to promote running and a healthy lifestyle in Pakistan.
Held annually in Pakistan, this unique half marathon takes runners through the challenging uphill routes of the Margalla Hills in the capital city of Islamabad.
Covering a total distance of 21.2 Kilometers (13.1 miles), the marathon route commenced at the picturesque Margalla Hills Trail, going all the way from Margalla Avenue to Daman-e-Koh, passing places like Monal before concluding at the border crossing into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Pir Sohawa.
With an elevation gain of 800 meters, the course posed challenges for participants, but favorable weather conditions ensured an enjoyable experience for all.
Enthusiastic participation came from various running clubs and age groups. In addition to members of the Margalla Trail Runners club, participants from clubs such as the Islamabad Running Club, Islamabad Run with Us, Falcon Triathlon Club, Critical Mass Lahore, Hiker.pk, and Pakistan Road Runners, joined the marathon.
Representatives from the diplomatic community in Islamabad also participated in the Half Marathon. The event saw active participation from the representatives of diplomats and representatives from embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, and the Philippines.
Winners
The top honors in the Margalla Hills Half Marathon went to Faizan Zulfiqar and Sehr Ali, who showcased exceptional endurance and skill amidst stiff competition.
Faizan Zulfiqar clinched the men’s title, completing the half marathon in an impressive time of 1 hour 25 minutes and 55 seconds, closely followed by Shahban and Mubariz Bukhari.
In the women’s category, Sehr Ali led the pack, crossing the finish line in 2 hours and 37 minutes, followed by Anum Uzair and Hajira Rehman.
The Margalla Hills Half Marathon exemplified the unifying power of sports, promoting a culture of fitness and well-being among participants from diverse backgrounds. The event’s success was a testament to the generous support of sponsors and the dedication of participants, organizers, and volunteers alike