Pakistani Runners Record Strong Finishes at Istanbul Marathon

In practice, a total of 18 Pakistani runners completed the 48th Istanbul Marathon on Sunday, with Saqib Khan emerging as the fastest Pakistani finisher after clocking 2 hours, 49 minutes and 33 seconds.

Key points

• While Sunaina completed the marathon in 5: 59: 40, in the women's category, Mehnaz Naveed was the fastest Pakistani finisher with a time of 4: 52: 06.
• Saqib eventually crossed the finish line 27 minutes and 56 seconds ahead of Sajjad and 34 minutes and 25 seconds ahead of Iqbal Ali Khan.
• The Istanbul Marathon is recognized as the world's only intercontinental marathon, with participants crossing the Bosphorus from Asia to Europe before finishing at Sultanahmet Square.
• By the 40-kilometer mark, Saqib had built a lead of 17 minutes and 43 seconds.
• According to the adjusted checkpoint timings, Sajjad led from the 15-kilometer mark through 30 kilometers.

Saqib was the only Pakistani athlete to finish the race in under three hours, securing the top position among his compatriots. Muhammad Sajjad finished second in 3: 17: 29, followed by Iqbal Ali Khan in third with a time of 3: 23: 58.

Despite his comfortable finish, Saqib faced a tough challenge from Sajjad. This person remained ahead for a significant portion of the race. Fast Bowler Calls Out PCB's Unequal Treatment of Players.

According to the adjusted checkpoint timings, Sajjad led from the 15-kilometer mark through 30 kilometers. His advantage stood at one minute and 51 seconds at the halfway point, rose to two minutes and four seconds at 25 kilometers, and reached six minutes and 17 seconds at 30 kilometers.

Nevertheless, Saqib staged a remarkable comeback in the closing stages, reducing the gap to just 36 seconds by the 35-kilometer checkpoint before moving decisively ahead.

By the 40-kilometer mark, Saqib had built a lead of 17 minutes and 43 seconds. The difference came during the five-kilometer stretch between 35 and 40 kilometers, where Saqib recorded a split of 20: 10 compared to Sajjad's 38: 29.

While Sunaina completed the marathon in 5: 59: 40, in the women's category, Mehnaz Naveed was the fastest Pakistani finisher with a time of 4: 52: 06. Complete Results of Pakistani Runners. The finishing times of all 18 Pakistani participants are listed below. Rank Pakistani Runner Finish Time. 1 Saqib Khan 2: 49: 33. 2 Muhammad Sajjad 3: 17: 29. 3 Iqbal Ali Khan 3: 23: 58. 4 Irfan Ali 3: 52: 47. 5 Kamran Yousaf 4: 02: 19. 6 Muhammad Asad Siddiqi 4: 21: 02. 7 Muhammad Zeeshan Ali 4: 28: 40.

8 Adeel Mansoor Khan 4: 39: 02. 9 Mehnaz Naveed 4: 52: 06. 10 Muhammad Gulraiz Khan 5: 02: 43. 11 Muhammad Asad Khan 5: 21: 36. 12 Nofel Elahi 5: 35: 11. 13 Qaseem Saeed 5: 42: 13. 14 Muhammad Asher Siddiqi 5: 46: 22. 15 Sunaina 5: 59: 40. 16 Muhammad Jahanzaib Khan 6: 12: 01. 17 Fahad Mansoori 6: 14: 12. 18 Mohammad Arsal Ayub 6: 14: 57. ICC Unveils Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 Schedule.

Meanwhile, the Istanbul Marathon is recognized as the world's only intercontinental marathon, with participants crossing the Bosphorus from Asia to Europe before finishing at Sultanahmet Square.

While Ethiopia's Kasanesh Ayenew Baze asserted the women's title in 2: 24: 40, in the elite competition, Kenya's Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba won the men's race in a course-record time of 2: 08: 44. The event holds World Athletics Gold Label status. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around pakistani Runners Record Strong Finishes at Istanbul Marathon point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.