ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Naltar , Air Vice Marshal Sarfraz Khan, and Air Officer Northern Air Commander welcomed 35 International runners from 24 countries who have arrived in Pakistan to participate in Karakoram marathon challenge.
The unique high-altitude marathon challenge will take place at an altitude of 11,300 feet (ft) above sea-level at the Naltar Valley, Gilgit. The event is organised by PAF in collaboration with international marathon travel company Z Adventures and Serena Hotels.
It is a landmark event as international runners from various countries as well as 70 armed forces staff along with 30 Pakistani runners will be racing in full marathon (42.2km), as well as half-marathon category (21.1km). The event is organised with an intention to bring breaking marathon runners to Pakistan and to show them how beautiful Pakistan is. It is also worth mentioning that the event is full of age diversity, with youngest competitor is of 10 years old and the oldest is of 80.
Top international runners from various regions like Ziyad Rahim from Pakistan, Dr. Jurgen Kuhlmey from Germany, Janos & Edit Kiss from Hungary, John Lum Young from Trinidad, Giuseppe Raguso from Italy, JC Santa Teresa from USA, Rene Olsen from Denmark, Dan Micola from Czech Republic, Zara Rahim & Mekaal Rahim from (Canada / Pakistan), Philippe Waroux from France and David Darton & Colin Lea from UK will also showcase their talents in the races that would provide an excellent opportunity to Pakistani athletes to learn from their competitors and improve their standing in the world. Apart from it, runners from Australia, Belgium, Egypt, Tunisia, Faroe Islands, Poland, Qatar, UAE, Argentina, Ireland, Taiwan, China, Scotland & Netherlands are also going to participate.
Published in Daily Times, August 29th 2018.
