At least 27 Pakistani and Pakistani-origin runners are set to compete in the 2026 Berlin Marathon, joining one of the world’s most prestigious road races in the German capital on Sunday.
More than 56,000 runners from 162 countries have entered the 42.195-kilometre race, which will be held on September 27. The wider marathon weekend is expected to attract more than 84,000 participants across its various events.
The Pakistani contingent includes runners from Karachi as well as members of the Pakistani diaspora living in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Norway.
Pakistani runners prepare for Berlin challenge
Among the Karachi-based runners are Munir Imran, Mehwish Hanif, Zubair Umar, Khalid Sheikh, Bilal Umar and Aamir Bhagat.
The US-based participants include Ayesha Akhtar, Muhammad Uzair Butt, Farhad Nasar Chaudhary, Rahat Gillani and Junaid Memon.
Hamad Ali and Muhammad Tariq will represent the UK-based contingent, while Saifullah will travel from Canada and Imran Ghayur Ahmed from Norway.
Other Pakistani runners listed for the marathon include Salima Ali, Syed Zeeshan Ali, Omar Ansari, Fatima Chaudhry, Hamza Farooq, Nadia Kamani, Muhammad Anas Khalid Khan, Taimur Khan, Fahad Nadeem, Muhammad Rehan Rafi, Maheen Sheikh and Muhammad Zuberi.
Bilal Umar targets strong finish
For Karachi-based runner Bilal Umar, the Berlin Marathon will be his fourth World Marathon Major within 12 months.
However, Umar said he would not be focused on improving his personal best of 3:30, which he recorded in Tokyo earlier this year.
“I want to enjoy the Berlin race,” Umar told Geo News, explaining that he had completed a structured 12-week training programme and was targeting a finish of around three hours and 40 to 45 minutes.
Preparing for the race on Karachi’s roads presented its own challenges, particularly during the city’s hot and humid summer.
“I just want to go out there and finish strong,” Umar said. “A successful race for me would be to maintain a consistent pace across the 42km and carry the Pakistan flag across the finish line.”
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Muhammad Tariq prepares for first major
For UK-based Pakistani runner Muhammad Tariq, Sunday’s race will mark his first World Marathon Major.
Tariq also trained on the streets of Karachi and said his father’s illness during much of his preparation made the training period particularly challenging.
He credited his family’s support with helping him maintain his preparations during the difficult period.
“I hope to run strong, enjoy the experience and cross the finish line with gratitude for everyone who supported me,” he said.
Iconic Berlin route awaits runners
The marathon will begin on Straße des 17. Juni in central Berlin, between the Brandenburg Gate and Kleiner Stern. The first of six starting waves is scheduled for 8:45am local time.
Runners will pass several of Berlin’s most recognisable landmarks and districts, including the Victory Column, Alexanderplatz, Berlin Cathedral, Potsdamer Platz, Kurfürstendamm and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
The final kilometres will take participants towards Unter den Linden and through the Brandenburg Gate before the finish on Straße des 17. Juni.
Berlin has long been known for producing fast marathon times. Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge ran 2:01:09 at the event in 2022, setting a world record at the time.
The 2026 elite field is again expected to produce a fast race, with five men on the start list boasting personal bests under 2:05.
