Pakistani runners, diaspora athletes to compete in London Marathon 2026

KARACHI: A sizeable group of Pakistani runners from within the country and abroad is set to take part in the 46th London Marathon on Sunday, one of the leading long-distance races in the world and part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors series.

More than 50,000 runners from around the world are expected to participate in the 42.195-kilometre event through central London. The race passes major landmarks and attracts large crowds along the route. The London Marathon is also recognised for charity fundraising, having raised more than £1 billion since it began.

18 Pakistani runners will feature this year, including athletes based in Pakistan as well as expatriates living in the United Kingdom, United States, Denmark, Norway, Austria and the UAE. The contingent includes 16 men and two women, while three of the participants are Six Star finishers, a title given to runners who complete all six World Marathon Majors.

Among the Pakistani participants is UAE-based Sarah Lodhi, winner of the Karachi Marathon 2025, who will return to London for the 12th marathon of her career. Having raced in London before, she said the experience remained special.

“Representing Pakistan on such a prestigious international platform is a tremendous honour,” she said. “London is an incredible city, and this marathon stands out as one of the most vibrant and lively among the world’s major races. I feel truly humbled and grateful for this opportunity.”

Karachi runner Amin Mukaty will enter the race after an intense training period, during which he covered 180 kilometres over the past two weeks. He said he was aiming for a strong result despite uncertainty over race-day conditions.

“I am aiming to finish somewhere between 2:45 and 2:50,” Mukaty said. “There’s no pressure for a personal best because the weather here is not ideal at the moment, but my long-term goal is to earn all seven stars and complete these races under three hours.”

Another Karachi-based runner, Adnan Gandhi, will compete in his second straight London Marathon and his 11th World Major overall. A Six Star finisher, Gandhi is also raising funds this year for the British Asian Trust for mental health and youth employment initiatives in Pakistan.

Gandhi had previously supported flood relief through The Citizens Foundation and has remained involved with Special Olympics Pakistan while also working to promote endurance running in the country.

His wife, Hira Diwan Gandhi, who is also a Six Star finisher, will run alongside him in what will be her 18th marathon. The couple earned their Six Star medals together at the Boston Marathon last year. Hira will be taking part in the London Marathon for the sixth time.

Denmark-based Zeeshan Rab will line up for his 55th marathon overall and his eighth of the year. The wider field of Pakistani-origin runners from the UK, US and Europe also reflects the growing presence of the diaspora in endurance sport.

Pakistani participants

The Pakistani participants listed for the London Marathon 2026 on April 26 are: Sarah Lodhi (UAE), Adnan Gandhi (Karachi) – Six-Star finisher, Hira Diwan Gandhi (UK) – Six-Star finisher, Qamar Zia (USA), Ahmer Khan (Austria), Naveed Hussain (USA), Amin Mukaty (Karachi), Faisal Shafi (Lahore), Zeeshan Rab (Denmark), Abdullah Athar (UK), Araf Mohammed (UK), Javed Hussain (UK), Adam Mohammed (UK), Wasim Akhtar (UK), Adil Ali (UK), Imran Ghayur Ahmed (Norway), and Yusaf Hassan (UK).

With a mix of experienced runners, Six Star finishers, first-time participants and athletes running for personal goals and charitable causes, the Pakistani contingent is set to be part of an event that continues to draw global attention.