Countdown to the Karachi Marathon 2026

“I was one of the last finishers. But I did finish. That’s something no one will ever be able to take away from me.” – Haya Hasan

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For 26-year-old advertising strategist, Haya Hasan, finishing the Karachi Marathon 2025 was a moment she will never forget. It was a culmination of months of hard work – blood, sweat and tears – and symbolised her grit, determination and strength. If Haya could finish the Karachi Marathon, she could overcome any challenge that life threw her way.

How it all started

Haya had just returned to Pakistan from the United States when she decided to participate in the Karachi Marathon 2025. A sprinter back in high school, the longest run she had ever done before this was 800m. She decided to sign up for the full distance – training over four months to build her endurance up to 42.2km

Heal the body, heal the mind

“I went through a period of depression when I moved back to Pakistan,” she relates. “I read somewhere that the number of people that took up running after going through a tough time mentally is very high. I wanted something that could challenge me and bring my confidence back. The Karachi Marathon gave me a goal to work towards.”

Encouraged by her trainer, Faisal Shafi, and supported by the new running community she was now a part of, Haya was able to go through the gruelling training marathon running requires.

You run far when you run together

“Running with all of these women… it was so nice to be a part of a mixed-aged group, even though I would put my headphones on while running,” says Haya. “It was so nice being part of that.”

“My family was super supportive,” she adds. “My mom would have electrolytes ready and tubs of warm water with epsom salts for me to soak my feet in. My father was there at the last 50m. All of my family turned up, that was really special.”

Life after Karachi Marathon

“So many of my friends want to run now,” says Haya, who has now moved to Austin, United States, to pursue further studies. “There is a university running club in my college. I’m planning to go running after my first day of classes. I’m excited about training here.”

Any advice? “There’s nothing to loose except sleep!”