From Struggle to Strength: Amin Mukaty’s Marathon of Transformation

“At just 24 years old, Amin Mukaty has already rewritten what it means to be a young athlete in Pakistan. Once a 110kg teenager struggling with obesity, he is now one of the country’s fastest marathoners, competing on international stages and inspiring a generation to lace up their shoes and chase self-betterment.”

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“I started running nine years ago, just for the daily step count and calorie burn,” Amin recalls. “It began as a weight loss goal since I was very obese. I lost around 40 kilograms and became a fitness freak.” What began as a practical attempt to get fit evolved into a deep and lasting passion for endurance sport. During the Covid-19 lockdowns, with more time and solitude to reflect, Amin began taking running seriously—discovering not just a new hobby, but a new identity.

His transformation took a dramatic turn when he signed up for the Istanbul Marathon. It was there that he became the first Pakistani runner to complete a marathon in under three hours, earning a qualifying time for the prestigious Boston Marathon. “After that, I took up running as a sport,” he says. “I started training and focusing on nutrition like an athlete.” The sub-three-hour barrier is one of distance running’s most respected milestones, and for a Pakistani athlete to achieve it on an international course was a defining moment, not just for Amin, but for the visibility of distance running in Pakistan.

He describes the sport as deeply emotional. “Crossing the finish line is always emotional because we are emotionally attached and involved in it. We do it with pure heart and soul,” he says. It’s that emotional connection, rather than medals or finish times, that drives him. Amin emphasizes the sense of community that has emerged from his training: “Running in groups helped me a lot. Later those group members became friends, and after that a brotherhood bond was created. We’re blessed to have running groups that help us in our hard and long runs.”

When he runs the full marathon at the Karachi Marathon, Amin treats it as both a homecoming and an opportunity. “The Karachi Marathon is one of the best routes to achieve a personal best,” he explains. “The weather conditions are good, the route is flat, and the organisers make sure everything is arranged at its best.” His current goal is to deliver a fast race there, before turning his attention to the world majors marathons—and eventually, ultra-marathons. “I want to set an example of a hybrid athlete who runs and lifts,” he says.

Beyond training plans and finish lines, Amin has a simple message for anyone looking to begin their own fitness journey: “Consistency is the key. Be patient and enjoy the journey.” His story—of transformation, discipline, and belief—reflects his own philosophy on self-worth. “If you take care of yourself, love yourself, respect yourself, then the world does the same for you. Always believe in yourself and love yourself.”

From an overweight teenager counting steps to Pakistan’s youngest and fastest marathon runner, Amin Mukaty’s story is a testament to how self-belief, discipline, and persistence can carry you from any starting point to incredible heights