ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — The landscape of Pakistani distance running was redefined this weekend as the 1st Ever Margalla Marathon successfully concluded, marking a milestone in the country’s athletic history. Organized by Margalla Trail Runners (MTR)—the trendsetting club behind iconic events like the Galyat Mountain Trail Race and the Margalla Trail Running Festival the race saw over 400 participants take on one of the toughest elevation courses in the world.
Starting at the iconic Chand Tara Monument in front of the Pak-China Friendship Center, the race challenged athletes with extreme vertical gain, ending at the high-altitude peaks of Pir Sohawa in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Participants were treated to a rare, breathtakingly clear day, offering panoramic views of the capital city and the lush Margalla Hills as they ascended. The route, characterized by its steep inclines and winding forest paths, has instantly gained a reputation among the global running community as a premier adventure run.
“This wasn’t just a race; it was a battle against gravity,” said Usman, co-founder of FTC. “To start in the heart of Islamabad and finish at the top of the ridge in KP, with the city laid out beneath us, was a great experience to test one’s physical and mental strength.”
The event served as a grand gathering for Pakistan’s top athletic clubs. In addition to a large number of newcomers, major representation came from Islamabad’s IRC (Islamabad Run With Us) and Margalla Road Runners. A strong contingent traveled from Lahore to represent FTC (Falcon Triathlon Club), The Hikers, and Run Comrade Run (RCR), showcasing the growing national synergy in the endurance sports community.
Javed Ali, Founder of Margalla Trail Runners (MTR), expressed his pride in the community’s resilience: “The Margalla Marathon was designed to push boundaries. Seeing over 400 runners take on this massive elevation from the city center to the highest ridges proves that Pakistan is ready for world-class trail and adventure racing. MTR remains committed to setting new trends, and this race is just the beginning of our journey to put Pakistan’s mountains on the global running map.”
Champions of the Margallas
The competition was fierce across both the Full (42.2 KM) and Half Marathon categories. Muhammad Ramzan dominated the Men’s Full Marathon with an incredible time of 3:07:15, while Saltanat Simbina claimed the Women’s title in 4:29:52.
Full Marathon (42.2 KM) – Male
- Muhammad Ramzan (Bib 025) – 3:07:15
- Mubariz Bin Rafay (Bib 052) – 3:22:19
- Muhammad Ahrar (Bib 019) – 3:53:10
Full Marathon (42.2 KM) – Female
- Saltanat Simbina (Bib 004) – 4:29:52
- Aisha Mustoor Butt (Bib 045) – 5:30:00
Half Marathon – Male
- Muhammad Masood (Bib 396) – 1:32:46
- Athar Akhtar (Bib 292) – 1:33:57
- Evgenii Yusyuk (Bib 348) – 1:34:13
Half Marathon – Female
- Allegra Aiuto (Bib 138) – 2:29:11
- Zaira Syed (Bib 321) – 3:00:11
- Uzma Khan (Bib 199) – 3:03:51
Ensuring the world witnessed every grueling kilometer, OD Sports served as the official Digital Campaign and Event Coverage Partner. Through specialized action photography and cinematic videography, OD Sports documented the grit of the runners against the backdrop of the Margalla range, managing the high-impact social media campaign that brought the event’s unique “Vertical Challenge” to a global digital audience.
