By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: Mahnoor Fatima, an athlete from Karachi, claimed first place in the inaugural Hasan Afroz Women’s Marathon in Khairpur, completing the 10-kilometre course in 42 minutes.
The event, organized jointly by the Sindh Sports and Youth Affairs Department and the District Administration Khairpur on Saturday, saw participation from over 1,200 female athletes. Participants were challenged to cover the distance within 45 minutes, a target set to encourage both endurance and speed.
The marathon aimed to promote health, fitness, and positive engagement among women, drawing a large number of spectators. Security and medical arrangements were carefully planned, with the venue cordoned off by Rangers and police using barbed wire.
Following Mahnoor Fatima, Farah, a seventh-grade student from Saida Goth in Khairpur, secured the second position, while Hania Ashraf, a third-grade student from Sukkur, finished third.
Speaking to the media, PPP MNA Dr Nafisa Shah Jilani said the event marked the first women’s marathon in Khairpur and was organized in collaboration with Sindh Sports, Youth Affairs, and the district administration. She highlighted that students from various educational institutions across Sindh, including Karachi, Sukkur, and Khairpur, had participated.
Dr Shah explained that the marathon was named in honor of her mother, Hassan Afroz, who had dedicated her life to the development and empowerment of women. She said the race symbolized the values of hard work, courage, and the drive to move forward, offering a message of inspiration to young women.
She also praised the contributions of Deputy Commissioner Khairpur Fayyaz Hussain Rahoojo, Syed Kamran Shah, Huma Shah, Maqsooda Bhatti, and the media in supporting and promoting the women’s marathon.
