Lahore (Sports Desk): Pakistani runners from different countries participated in the Chicago Marathon 2026, held in the United States. Nizar Niani, who is based in Texas, was among the prominent Pakistani participants, completing the 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 completed the first 10 kilometers in 40 minutes and 22 seconds and the half-marathon in 1 hour, 25 minutes and 41 seconds. However, a drop in pace during the second half of the race prevented him from achieving his goal.
After the race, Niani said the Chicago Marathon held a special place in his heart and that, regardless of the circumstances or results, he would continue participating as long as Allah permitted and he remained fit. He added that his physical condition was not ideal this time, but the 26.2-mile race was a true test of human determination and endurance.
Mustafa, from Karachi, completed the race in 3 hours, 29 minutes and 18 seconds, while Bushra Anjum, who lives in New York, was the leading Pakistani female participant. She finished the marathon in 3 hours, 31 minutes and 1 second. Bushra completed the half-marathon in 1 hour, 41 minutes and 34 seconds, but her pace slowed later in the race.
Abubakar Muhammad Afzal crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 32 minutes and 39 seconds, while Pakistani-American Babar Ghias finished in 3 hours, 42 minutes and 44 seconds. Ibrahim Abdul Khaliq, from Riyadh, completed the race in 3 hours, 44 minutes and 1 second, while 67-year-old Hameed Butt, from Lahore, finished in 3 hours, 49 minutes and 48 seconds. Butt has also earned the distinction of being a Six Star Finisher twice.
Among the other Pakistani runners, Taimoor Malik completed the race 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 Sarah Rathore in 4 hours, 22 minutes and 6 seconds.
Imad Sheikh finished in 4 hours, 38 minutes and 9 seconds; British Pakistani Wardah Mir in 5 hours, 3 minutes and 55 seconds; Ghassan Tayyab in 5 hours, 12 minutes and 21 seconds; Zara Ordonez in 5 hours, 16 minutes and 36 seconds; Hassan Saleem in 5 hours, 17 minutes and 5 seconds; and Daniyal Ameer Lakra Wala in 5 hours, 18 minutes and 6 seconds.
Anees Kasmani, from Karachi, completed the marathon in 5 hours and 25 minutes; British Pakistani Hammad Ali in 5 hours, 29 minutes and 5 seconds; Ahmed Zubair in 5 hours, 32 minutes and 8 seconds; and Ayesha Intisar, also from Karachi, in 5 hours, 35 minutes and 14 seconds.
Mike Nethavrianakis, a former British diplomat who had served in Pakistan, also took part in the event, completing the race in 3 hours, 18 minutes and 4 seconds. He participated to raise donations for The Citizens Foundation, an organization working to promote education in Pakistan.
The Chicago Marathon is one of the world’s eight major marathons. More than 55,000 runners participated in this year’s event. The 42.195-kilometer race started and finished in Grant Park, with the course passing through 29 different neighborhoods of Chicago.
In the men’s elite race, Kenya’s Amos Kipruto won in 2 hours, 1 minute and 9 seconds. Ethiopia’s Tadese Bekele finished second in 2 hours, 2 minutes and 56 seconds, while Milkesa Mengesha placed third in 2 hours, 3 minutes and 46 seconds.
In the women’s elite race, Ethiopia’s Hawi Fissa defended her title, winning in 2 hours, 13 minutes and 33 seconds. Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi finished second in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 7 seconds, while Brigid Kosgei came third in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 55 seconds.
For the first time in marathon history, three athletes in a single women’s race completed the distance in under 2 hours and 15 minutes.