Karachi to host Half Marathon ‘One Run’ on May 24 for second year

Karachi will once again welcome thousands of runners as it hosts the global One Run Half Marathon on Saturday, May 24, for the second consecutive year.

Organised in collaboration with the international Hero League, the event will see over 2,000 participants take part in Karachi alone, joining more than 200,000 runners across the world.

Billed as the world’s largest half marathon, One Run unites runners from across continents in a synchronised celebration of fitness and community spirit.

This year’s race in Karachi will start at the Emaar Sales Center in DHA, featuring a scenic coastal route along the city’s shoreline.

In addition to the flagship 21.1 km half marathon, local organisers have arranged 1 km, 5 km, and 10 km races to make the event accessible to runners of all ages and experience levels — from seasoned athletes to first-timers and families.

“We're thrilled to partner with One Run for the second time, further solidifying Pakistan's presence on the global sports stage,” said Shoaib Nizami, CEO of Sports in Pakistan.

“This event will continue to showcase our sports talent, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality to the world.”

Alongside Pakistan, countries such as Poland, Germany, and Japan will see participation in this year’s race.

The largest number of international participants will come from Russia, where over 180,000 runners will take part in the event known locally as ZaBeg.RF.

One Run began in Russia in 2017 across 10 cities. It expanded rapidly over the years, going international in 2023 with races held in China, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Tajikistan, and Belarus.

A landmark edition in 2020 earned two Guinness World Records for the largest number of cities participating in a simultaneous half marathon.

This year, over 40,000 additional runners from countries including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Venezuela and others are also expected to join.

Karachi’s hosting of the event reflects a growing interest in mass participation sports in Pakistan and underscores the city’s capacity to be part of major global sporting movements.