Pakistani runners shine at Cape Town Marathon

Pakistani runners delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Cape Town Marathon, bringing international recognition to the country.

Pakistani runners delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Cape Town Marathon, bringing international recognition to the country. With over 27,000 athletes participating from around the world, the achievements of Pakistani participants stood out prominently.

Karachi-based runner Faisal Shafi completed the full 42.195 km marathon in 3 hours, 35 minutes, and 37 seconds, earning a remarkable milestone. He became the first Pakistan-based runner to complete all “8 World Marathon Stars,” a prestigious accomplishment in long-distance running. Speaking after the race, Shafi shared that last year’s Cape Town Marathon was cancelled due to severe weather, making this year’s success even more meaningful for him.

Meanwhile, British-Pakistani runner Huma Rehman also impressed with her exceptional performance, finishing the marathon in 3 hours, 31 minutes, and 34 seconds. She became the first British-Pakistani woman to achieve the milestone of completing eight World Marathon Stars. Her endurance and consistent pace were widely appreciated during the race.

The Cape Town Marathon is currently a candidate race for inclusion in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series. If approved, it will become the first African race to join this elite global marathon circuit, further increasing its international significance.

Other members of the Pakistani running community also performed commendably. Karachi’s Hina Shaukat improved her personal best timing, while Lahore’s Amna Sabtain successfully completed her first marathon. Overall, the performance of Pakistani runners at this global event marks a positive step forward for the country’s presence in international sports.