Pakistani athletes dominated the recently concluded Khunjerab Marathon in which 154 athletes including 39 international runners from 17 different countries participated. Pakistan achieved a milestone of hosting the world’s first marathon held at an altitude of 4,693 meters above sea level.
Pakistan Air Force in collaboration with Z Adventures and Serena Hotels hosted the Khunjerab Marathon.
#KhunjerabMarathon pic.twitter.com/qFsU5Dv4Rl
— Khunjerab Marathon (@KhunjerabM) September 22, 2019
here's some pictures from the Khunjerab Pass Challenge and Manu running with his #teamsatoshi shirt. #KhunjerabMarathon
Go #bitcoin! pic.twitter.com/w3zj79aokb
— Vitus Zeller [bitcoin road runner] (@Vitus_Ze) September 22, 2019
According to a press release issued by the Pakistan Air Force, it was a momentous occasion in the history of Pakistan as 154 ecstatic long-distance runners from across the world enthusiastically ran on the descending Karakoram Highway, starting from the magnificent Khunjerab Top and ending at Sust, a small town in the majestic pass.
https://twitter.com/amnajabeen11/status/1176051249134878720?s=20
According a press release issued by the Pakistan Air Force, it was a momentous occasion in the history of Pakistan. #KhunjerabMarathon pic.twitter.com/CeKpKFsUKK
— Ali Faraz (@AliFaraz15) September 23, 2019
Pakistani Army athletes outclassed in all three categories of race; 50 km, 42 km, and 21-km races. Muhammad Siyar bagged the first position in the 50-kilometer race, Aslam Khan of the Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts and Muhammad Iqbal finished at second and third places respectively.
Meanwhile, the Army Athletics Team secured all three positions in the 42km race with victories from Umair Haider, Muhammad Faheem, and Sohail Tanveer. In 21-km race Mirza Aslam Baig remained first, Abdul Muheet and Musawwar ur Rehman secured second and third position respectively.
A seven-member team of National Logistics Cell also participated in the Khunjerab Marathon with five of its team members clinching medals and ending up in top 40 runners. Two of the runners from the NLC team secured a place in the first 25 runners.
The PAF had joined hands with the international marathon travel company, Z Adventures and Serena Hotels to showcase the real beauty of Pakistan to the world. #KhunjerabMarathon pic.twitter.com/X1BmHkQEqR
— Ali Faraz (@AliFaraz15) September 23, 2019
Umair Haider secured first position and Mohammad Faheem and Sohail Tanveer clinched the second and third spots, respectively. #KhunjerabMarathon pic.twitter.com/BblsLakFyW
— Shib Army Bullish 🐕 🐶 (@hansbadvi) September 23, 2019
Last year, the event was held at an altitude of 11,300 feet (3,444 meters) at Naltar valley of Gilgit region.
Winter Sports Federal headed by Air Marshal Asim Zaheer, Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) welcomed the international athletes on 19th September 2019.
#KhunjerabMarathon we will be nominating Half Marathon's Fastest Male Winner for Guinness world record titled: Fastest Male Runner at Highest Altitude Road Half Marathon in the world. Aslam Baig completed the run in 1 hrs 35 mins 25 seconds. pic.twitter.com/KfydKjsxhi
— Khunjerab Marathon (@KhunjerabM) September 23, 2019
#KhunjerabMarathon we will be nominating Full Marathon's Fastest Male Runner for Guinness world record titled: Fastest Male Runner at Highest Altitude Road Marathon in the world. Umair Hayder completed the run in 3 hrs 10 mins 31 seconds. pic.twitter.com/dzkJzcWERd
— Khunjerab Marathon (@KhunjerabM) September 23, 2019
Pakistan Air Force under the command of Air Chief Marshall Mujahid Anwar taking ahead the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan organized the event at picturesque Karakoram Highway to promote tourism and sports in northern areas through international events. PAF took this opportunity to promote local culture, athletes and tourism to foreign runners.
One of the major ally in Khunjerab Marathon, National Logistic Cell utilized the opportunity to maximize its efforts of flourishing socio-economic development in Gilgit-Baltistan region. NLC is already working tirelessly on four significant projects in GB region, with a prime focus on thriving tourism in the industry. The key projects include upgrading the road from Gilgit to Naltar, a state-of-the-art 50-bed cardiac hospital, establishment of a polytechnic institute and a sewage treatment plant in Gilgit.
Read more: NLC to run country wide cleanliness drive on World Tourism Day
Khunjerab Pass is a high mountainous pass in Karakoram mountains at a strategic position on the northern border of Pakistan and the southwest border of China. It is the highest-paved international border crossing in the world and the highest point in the Karakoram range connecting Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region from China. Karakoram Highway often referred to as eight wonders of the world, this Marathon was no less.