Faisal Completed his Journey in 3 Hours , 40 Minutes and 13 Seconds in Light Military Uniform.
Sydney turned historic for Pakistan as Karachi’s Faisal Shafi entered the Guinness World Records by completing the Sydney Marathon in 3 hours, 40 minutes, and 13 seconds — the fastest ever run in a light military uniform.
The Guinness World Records officially validated his achievement, making Shafi the first Pakistani to set this global milestone. The marathon, held on September 15, 2024, saw participation from over 17,000 runners across 70 nations, but it was Shafi’s extraordinary feat that drew worldwide attention.
Shafi dedicated the record to Pakistan’s Armed Forces and martyrs, saying:
“This is my tribute to the unmatched sacrifices of our soldiers. Running in this uniform was a way of honoring their resilience and spirit.”
The Sydney Marathon — recognized as one of the World Athletics Platinum Label races alongside iconic runs like Boston and Berlin Marathons — gave Pakistani athletes a global spotlight. Several other Pakistani runners also impressed with strong performances, further lifting the country’s profile on the international marathon stage.