Faisal Shafi becomes first Pakistan-based runner to claim provisional eighth marathon star

KARACHI: Karachi runner Faisal Shafi became the first Pakistan-based athlete to complete eight World Marathon stars after finishing the 2026 Cape Town Marathon, while British-Pakistani runner Huma Rehman also reached the same provisional milestone in a strong showing by Pakistani and overseas Pakistani participants.

The race, held against the backdrop of Table Mountain, drew more than 27,000 runners. For Pakistan’s marathon community, attention centred on a five-member contingent representing both local and diaspora runners on what the report described as one of the world’s most scenic marathon courses.

Shafi completed the 42.195-kilometre race in 3:35:37. Speaking after the finish, he said the achievement carried added significance because the eighth Major had been expected in Cape Town a year earlier, but the event was cancelled due to bad weather.

“This is my eighth star,” Shafi told Geo News after crossing the finish line.

The Cape Town Marathon is still in the candidacy phase for Abbott World Marathon Major status. Organisers announced before the race that all finishers would receive a provisional Major star, following a pathway similar to Sydney’s before it was formally added to the series. If Cape Town clears its final assessment and is officially inducted, the provisional star will be converted retroactively into a fully recognised Major star.

Pakistan contingent posts notable results

Shafi said he was the first eight-star finisher from Pakistan and the first person to complete eight stars while living in the country. “I am the first eight-star finisher from Pakistan and the first person to complete eight stars while living in Pakistan,” he said.

He added that the milestone could mark an important step for long-distance running in the country. “This is a huge leap for Pakistan in marathon running because eight stars is a very elusive achievement. Even globally, only a few hundred people may have completed eight stars.”

According to the report, Shafi reached the halfway point in 1:39:56 and maintained a steady pace through the first 30 kilometres, running consistently between 4:44 and 4:46 per kilometre before the later stages became more demanding.

Huma Rehman finished in 3:31:34, ahead of Shafi overall, and became the first British-Pakistani runner to secure the eighth world star milestone. Her split times showed a controlled race, reaching 5km in 25:52, 10km in 51:36, 15km in 1:16:45 and halfway in 1:46:43. She then covered 30km in 2:30:52, 35km in 2:56:08 and 40km in 3:20:53, maintaining near-identical pacing deep into the race.

Among the other Pakistani participants, Karachi’s Hina Shaukat recorded a personal best of 4:31:23. Lahore runner Amina Sibtain completed her first marathon in 4:44:51, while Kashif Zulfiqar crossed the line in 4:44:54.

Shaukat described the race as the proudest finish of her running career. “It was my third marathon, and I was able to shave 40 minutes off my PR,” she said.

“My family was there at the finish line, and they made this one extra special. The photos may not look fast, but the clock definitely was. This was, undoubtedly, my proudest finish yet,” she told Geo News.

Cape Town race seen as significant for marathon circuit

The report said this year’s Cape Town Marathon carried wider significance because, if approved, it would become the first African race to join the Abbott World Marathon Majors alongside Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Sydney.

Shafi said he hoped the result would encourage more Pakistanis to take up marathon running, pointing to the recent growth of community running events in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. “God willing, more people will now be inspired towards marathon running,” he said. “Just like the recent One Run event in Karachi, where so many people participated, I believe this sport will continue growing in Pakistan.”