KARACHI: The citizens of Karachi will be giving out a strong message of peace, harmony and great sportsman spirit on February 3 when they compete in the Commissioner Karachi Marathon race which is set to be held in the DHA over a distance of ten kilometres.

Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, while briefing the media about the marathon on Saturday at his office, said sports have an important role in maintaining peace, unites people and helps in creating a healthy and competitive environment for all.

“I am optimistic that this marathon, which will be held in the city after a gap of nearly twenty years or perhaps more, will help the citizens in creating an atmosphere of peace and harmony among the people of this city and this province besides contributing to their fitness,” said the Commissioner.

The 10km race to be held on Feb 3

“We are hoping that Inshallah people from all ages be it the youth, elderly people, ladies, men and women will participate in great numbers in the marathon and will take out time to make this very healthy and positive event a huge success,” he hoped.

Shallwani said he expects more than 5,000 people to take part in the marathon which will be run over a distance of ten kilometres, starting from the DHA Moin Khan Cricket Academy and culminating at the same point.

“The Sindh government, under the able leadership of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, is aiming to hold regular marathon events as well as promote sports in general in the city so that people can relax and compete together to bring long lasting peace here,” said the commissioner who was flanked by DC South and chief coordinator Syed Salahuddin Ahmed, sports patron-cum-sponsor Dr Farhan Essa, Azmatullah Khan as representative of main sponsors NBP, organising committee head Khalid Shamsi, coordinating committee member and KBBA chief Ghulam Mohammad and technical support expert and Karachi Athletics official Gohar Raza.

“All over the world, including London and New York and other major cities, there is a trend of holding marathons to promote peace and harmony and we want our region to do the same. This marathon in Karachi is the beginning and I am sure that one day this will be turned into a sports festival where people will look forward to compete,” he added.

Giving further details, Commissioner Karachi said that the Marathon will begin at 9:00am on Feb 3 where the people will be faring in three categories and each category will be highlight by stickers of different colors.

“In the green category, that will be of U-19 where the age limit for boys and girls has been set at minimum of 16-year-old while the red category will be of U-29 age bracket where the citizens between the age of 20 to 29 years will be able to participate. The third will be blue category, where citizens above 30 years will be participating,” he outlined.

The Marathon will begin from Moin Khan Academy at Khay­aban-e-Tipu and will pass through Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue to Captain Farhan Shaheed Park to Khayaban-e-Ittehad and back to Moin Khan Academy.

The commissioner also informed that to facilitate the participants, they will establish camps on six different locations where water, washroom facilities, first aid, food stalls and shuttle services will be provided. “Also a fire brigade and emergency services will be available throughout the route,” he added.

“The successful runners of the marathon will be awarded with different prizes including cash, trophies and mementos,” said Shallwani.

“In order to participate in the marathon, an online registration service has already been established while steps will be taken to inform people for their maximum participation.

“People can also come early at around 8:00am in the morning to Moin Khan Academy on the race day to register for the marathon which will start at 9am.”

In the end, the commissioner thanked the media for turning out in big number at the press conference and asked the media personnel to use all their efforts through newspapers and channels to highlight the soft image of the city and country by providing full coverage to the marathon.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2019