On
the 21st of September 2019, Pakistan Air Force, in a joint collaboration with Z
Adventures & Serena Hotels, organized ‘Highest Altitude Marathon Race’, a unique running challenge in Northern Pakistan, at the
8th wonder of the world, Khunjerab Pass, the highest paved international border
crossing and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway.
Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan, Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman inaugurated the event in the presence of Force Commander Northern Are, Maj. Gen. Ahsan Mehmood and President Winter Sports Federtion of Pakistan, Air Marshal Asim Zaheer.
The
race consisted of 3 events;
- Ultra-Marathon (50km)
- Full-Marathon (42km)
- Half-Marathon (21km)
Taking
place at 4700 meters above sea level, a total of 154 athletes including 39
international runners from 17 different countries participated in the race. The
race had a downhill point-to-point course starting from Khunjerab Pass and
ending in the picturesque town of Sust.
Custom-designed
medal and T-shirt for all finishers; and trophies for Top 3. The Pakistani athletes
swept all positions in the marathon;
In the Ultra-Marathon (50km);
- Muhammad Siyar – Gold Medal
- Aslam Khan – Silver Medal
- Muhammad Iqbal – Bronze Medal
In Full-Marathon (42km);
- Umair Haider – Gold Medal
- Muhammad Faheem – Silver Medal
- Sohail Tanveer – Bronze Medal
In Half-Marathon (21km);
- Mirza Aslam Baig - Gold Medal
- Abdul Muheet – Silver Medal
- Musawwar-Ur-Rehman – Bronze Medal
The participants of the race said they were determined to become Guinness World Records title holders by successfully completing the race. They also appreciated Pakistan's traditional hospitality.