Pakistani runners Danish Elahi and Faisal Shafi make history at the 129th Boston Marathon by setting a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon completed in traditional shalwar kameez. The duo finished the 26.2-mile race in 3 hours, 27 minutes.
Elahi and Shafi, both from Karachi, became the first runners to complete the prestigious race in under four hours while wearing Pakistan’s loose-fitting national attire. They started and finished together, dedicating their achievement to Pakistan. “This record is for all of Pakistan,” Elahi shared with a local news outlet.
“Setting a record in a historic race like Boston is unforgettable.” Shafi added, “We aimed to project Pakistan’s positive image globally.” Their synchronized effort, wearing green and white, drew admiration from fellow runners and spectators along the route from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.
Elahi celebrated a personal milestone, earning the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Medal. This places him among the elite group of approximately 17,000 runners worldwide who have completed all six major marathons: Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, London, and Tokyo. Shafi, who was already a Six Star Finisher in 2024, qualified for Boston with a 2:58:09 time at the Berlin Marathon in 2023.
The Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest annual marathon, hosted over 50,000 runners and attracted an estimated one million spectators. Despite facing logistical challenges, including limited training in shalwar kameez due to Guinness documentation hurdles, Elahi and Shafi’s achievement captivated global attention. Upon returning to Pakistan, they plan to hold celebrations to share their milestone with supporters, further inspiring the nation’s growing running community.
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