US based Nizar Nayani emerged as the top Pakistani runner at the Chicago Marathon 2026, finishing the full 42.195 kilometre distance in 3 hours and 45 seconds. The Tomball, Texas resident came agonisingly close to a sub three hour time, missing it by only 46 seconds while leading the Pakistani contingent on the day.
Karachi based Mustafa secured the second fastest Pakistani time with 3:29:18. Brooklyn based Basherri Anjum was the strongest Pakistani woman and the third fastest overall among identified Pakistani runners, clocking 3:31:01. Abu Bakr Mohammad Afzal followed in 3:32:39, while Pakistani American Babar Ghias finished in 3:42:44.
Nayani started strongly. He covered the first 5 kilometres in 20 minutes 16 seconds and the opening 10 kilometres in 40:22. He reached the halfway mark in 1:25:41, still on track for a sub three hour finish. The second half proved tougher as he hit 30 kilometres in 2:03:49 and 40 kilometres in 2:50:24 before crossing the line in 3:00:45.
After the race Nayani spoke with clear emotion. “Chicago Marathon is always very close to my heart, no matter the results, no matter the conditions. I will keep coming back as long as Allah allows me to, and if I am in shape,” he said. He added that the day was not ideal but the 26.2 miles always brings out every bit of grit.
Anjum also ran a solid race, reaching 5 kilometres in 23:49, 10 kilometres in 47:35 and the half marathon in 1:41:34 before finishing in 3:31:01. Other Pakistani and diaspora runners included Ibrahim Abdul Khaliq (3:44:01), Hamid Butt (3:49:48), Taimoor Malik (4:05:34) and several more who completed the distance between four and five and a half hours.
Former British diplomat Mike Nithavrianakis finished in 3:18:04 while raising funds for The Citizens Foundation to support education for underprivileged children in Pakistan.
The Chicago Marathon, one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, drew more than 55,000 runners through 29 neighbourhoods on a flat and fast course that starts and finishes in Grant Park. Kenya’s Amos Kipruto won the elite men’s race in 2:01:09 while Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa successfully defended her women’s title in 2:13:33.
Nayani expressed pride in the growing Pakistani running community and said he was glad to be part of the team that represented the country so strongly in one of the world’s biggest marathons.
