By Hafiz Rahat Usama 
Twelve Athletes Complete Intercontinental Challenge
Twelve Pakistani runners demonstrated remarkable endurance at the Istanbul Marathon—the world’s only marathon spanning two continents, Asia and Europe. The grueling 42.195-kilometer race tested participants’ stamina and determination, with all Pakistani athletes successfully crossing the finish line.
Top Performances by Pakistani Runners
Mubariz Bin Rafay emerged as the fastest Pakistani runner, completing the marathon in an impressive 3 hours, 21 minutes, and 30 seconds. Close behind was Mujtaba Ahsan, who finished in 3 hours and 23 minutes, while Ismail Khan, based in Istanbul, secured third place among Pakistani participants with a time of 4 hours and 3 minutes.
On the women’s side, Sahar Ali Janjua led with a strong finish in 4 hours and 22 minutes, followed by Hina Malik, who completed the race in 4 hours and 49 minutes.
Notable Participation by Sports Journalist
Geo News Deputy Sports Editor Faizan Lakhani made his marathon debut, crossing the finish line in 5 hours and 13 minutes. His participation highlighted the growing interest in long-distance running among professionals from varied backgrounds.
Team Pakistan���s Spirited Presence
Other notable Pakistani finishers included Omer Rasheed, Zain Ahmad, Kashif Raza, Mehwish Hanif, Sadaf Saad, and Haziq Khalid. Wearing their distinctive green shirts, the athletes received enthusiastic cheers from spectators, especially as they crossed the iconic Bosphorus Bridge, transitioning from Asia to Europe.