Sahiwal’s Akhtar, Karachi’s Ali crowned champions in CM’s Mega Marathon & Cycling Gala

Sahiwal’s Akhtar, Karachi’s Ali crowned champions in CM’s Mega Marathon & Cycling Gala

By Nawaz Gohar ; History was rewritten on the streets of Lahore today as the Punjab Youth Affairs and Sports Department successfully executed the Chief Minister Punjab National Marathon and Cycling Race.

Staged at the iconic Liberty Chowk, the event is being hailed as the single largest sports gathering in the nation’s history, drawing a staggering crowd of over 11,000 participants.

The mega-event, a flagship initiative under the “Khelta Punjab” vision, saw a vibrant mosaic of athletes—men, women, children, and persons with disabilities—vying for glory across various categories.

In a show of personal commitment, the Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar, not only presided as the Chief Guest but also actively participated in the cycling race, leading from the front to inspire the youth.

In the elite 21-km Men’s Marathon, the sprinters from Sahiwal demonstrated sheer dominance. M. Akhtar claimed the gold and a grand prize of Rs 500,000, followed by M. Amir and M. Irfan in second and third place, respectively.

The 21-km Cycling Race saw the crown go to Karachi, with Ali Ilyas outclassing the field to take the top spot. Lahore’s Aqib Shah secured the runner-up position, while Sanaullah of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa finished third, showcasing the truly national spirit of the competition.

The event also served as a major platform for female athletes. Mahnoor triumphed in the 5-km Women’s Marathon, while the cycling track belonged to the Karachi trio of Zainab, Anisa, and Rabia, who swept the top three positions in the 5-km Women’s Cycling event.

In a heartwarming display of grit, the Wheelchair Race featured fierce competition, with Ahmed Yar securing the first position. A special spotlight was cast on Rabia Fayaz, the sole female wheelchair athlete, who received a dedicated cash prize of Rs 50,000 for her inspiring performance.

Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar distributed a massive prize pool of Rs 3.8 million (38 Lakh) among the top performers. Speaking exclusively to the media, the Minister expressed his pride:

“This event is the living embodiment of the Chief Minister’s ‘Khelta Punjab’ vision. We have united athletes from Sindh, KPK, and beyond on one platform. Our next goal is even more ambitious: we are targeting 100,000 registrations for our upcoming mega-event in October/November.”