By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: Commissioner Sukkur Division Abid Saleem Qureshi reviewed preparations for the second World-Class Lok Sahaita Marathon, scheduled between Sukkur and Khairpur on 21 December, during a meeting at the Commissioner’s office conference hall.
Commissioner Qureshi described hosting a world-class marathon in Sukkur and Khairpur as an honor, noting that the participation of international runners makes the 2025 event distinct from the inaugural marathon. With only ten days remaining, he instructed all relevant officers from both districts to finalize and implement a coordinated strategy to ensure a successful and memorable event.
He directed concerned departments to address security arrangements, route cleanliness, traffic management, accommodation and meals for runners, transportation, and medical preparedness, including ambulances, staff, and medicines, along with all other essential facilities. Marathon organizer Agha Haroon from the Lok Sahaita Trust briefed the meeting on the routes and key changes from last year.
The men’s 42.195 km marathon will start at 7:00 AM from IBA Public School Sukkur and cover 21 km towards Shah Hussain Bypass Khairpur (N-5) near Waris Gambhir before returning to finish at the starting point. The women’s 10 km mini-marathon will start from the same location, cover 5 km towards Central Prison Sukkur, and return along the same route.
A short 3 km race for journalists will run from Public School to Globe Chowk and back. The closing ceremony is scheduled for 2:00 PM at IBA Public School Sukkur. Over 3,000 runners from across Pakistan have registered, with international participants arriving from Syria, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Suggestions were also sought from participants to improve the marathon further, taking into account lessons from last year’s event.
