Third Place at the Islamabad Half Marathon. A Race to Remember

Islamabad, Pakistan. 25th January 2026.

I managed to come third female in the Half Marathon on a day when Islamabad turned into a real sports festival! 🏃‍♀️🎉 We had fun. A lot of fun. Running through the streets of this fantastically intense city on a sunny day, with a great atmosphere, full of music, energy, and warm, welcoming people. ☀️🎶

Islamabad surprised me, and I admit I fell in love with it in just two days. 💚✨ As a fellow runner who had been there before once said: “I love this place!”

We ran a great race, discovered majestic mosques and surreal markets, and even turned into instant celebrities for a day. 😄📸

TLDR; “too long, didn’t read”

• I just want to run! Take me to RUN.
• I have 1 minute. Take me to USEFUL INFORMATION.
• Running is my excuse for travelling. Take me to TRIP.
• Running is my excuse for eating. Take me to CARBOLOADING.
• I want to know what to read in the plane. Take me to ONE BOOK.

🌍 The Trip 📷: What to see in Islamabad in a couple of days

Order, Chaos, and Absolute Surrealism

Our journey began with a three-hour flight from Abu Dhabi, packed wall to wall with families and extremely loud, wildly misbehaved kids 😵‍💫✈️. By the time we landed at 3am, everyone was exhausted. 

The moment we stepped outside, the cold hit us hard. Men were wrapped in blankets, wearing traditional robes and the famous pakols. Pakol, also known as the Chitrali cap, is made of soft wool with a rolled brim, usually brown, grey, or beige. It’s worn in Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is common on both sides of the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. 

Outside the airport, neon lights dominated everything 🌈🚗. The highway felt less like a road and more like a theme park: bright, exaggerated, almost unreal.

F-7 Sector (Markaz F-7)

Our hotel, Hill View Hotel, took security seriously 🔫🏨. There was a guard at the entrance with a machine gun and a metal detector, which immediately set the tone. 

The day was bright and sunny but still cold, which somehow made the tiredness worse.

Our first impressions of Islamabad were… strange 🤔🏙️. It was unlike any city we could easily compare it to. The architecture was peculiar: massive mansions, some ultra-modern, others frozen in an 80s aesthetic, surrounded by barbed wire and topped with solar panels. At many corners, security guards stood watch with machine guns. 

At the same time, groups of poor men waited on the streets for work, gathered in front of fast-food restaurants, shovels in hand. The contrast was sharp.

Faisal Mosque

One of our first major stops was the Faisal Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world 🕌⛰️. 

Set against the Margalla Hills, its tent-like design made it feel open and monumental at the same time, very different from traditional domed mosques. 

Outside, a few men chanted softly, but the atmosphere remained quiet since it wasn’t prayer time. 

Inside, schoolchildren were learning the Quran. At first glance it looked like prayer, but they were actually reciting together, their voices low and rhythmic. 

There were also monkeys outside 🙈🌿. We were cautious, as they’re known to be aggressive, but these ones seemed shy, almost nervous around people.

Pakistan Monument

From there, we headed to the Pakistan Monument 🇵🇰🎺. Soldiers dressed in black performed a flag-changing parade. Some wore elaborate ceremonial uniforms with traditional hairstyles, shouting commands, playing trumpets, and looking impressively fierce.

The guide explained the symbolism of the monument, the founding of the nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and his famous sister, emphasizing the vision of Pakistan as a homeland for Muslims.

This was where things took a turn 📸✨. Dozens of schoolgirls approached us, and suddenly I became a full-blown celebrity. They grabbed my hand, asked my name, and said how beautiful I was. I think I said  “Nice to meet you” a hundred times. 

Heritage Museum

At the Heritage Museum nearby, the attention continued 🏛️😅. I turned into a walking tourist attraction again! 

A woman named Romina asked for a photo, and before we knew it, her entire family (about thirty people, seriously) materialized out of nowhere. They took photos together, handed over her baby (who had makeup under his eyes), and asked me for my cap to be removed because they were fascinated with my hair. 

I only took pictures with women. When young men approached, me pointing at “the husband” worked immediately, and was fully respected.

K-Pop Fans!

Later, a group of thirteen-year-old girls asked for pictures 💕📱. Afterward, they sat down and started chatting. Their English was surprisingly good. Some wanted to become doctors, others dreamed of being air hostesses so they could travel to Korea. 

Naturally, the conversation turned to K-pop. Then came the wild part: they showed me video calls with BTS members: AI-generated, perfectly simulated. Jungkook walking down the street, talking directly to you 🤖🎶. They knew it was AI and loved it anyway. 

We ended up singing “Golden” together. 

Weird, surreal, and absolutely fantastic. They asked that the pictures not be posted on social media, so I have respected their wish!

Nawaldini’s open-air market

From there, we dove straight into Nawaldini’s open-air market.

And “chaos” didn’t even begin to cover it 🌀🛵. 

We had seen markets all over the world (Kathmandu, Bangkok, Pointe-Noire, Kinshasa) but this one topped them all. The noise was overwhelming. Motorbikes, tuk-tuks, cars, and mini-vans zigzagged through pedestrians in what felt like a constant miracle that no one got run over.

The butcher stalls were especially intense. Truly gory 🔪🐐. Goat heads bled openly on display, and looking away became necessary. Under another stall, a puppy casually ate a chicken’s head. Nothing was hidden here.

They sold absolutely everything 🧺🌶️: seeds, spices, nuts, fruits, vegetables, batteries, football T-shirts, fake Nike shoes, XXL pink bras. Vendors shouted, horns blared, and suddenly a deafening call to prayer erupted from a nearby mosque, so loud it made perfect sense given the madness surrounding it.

Electricity chaos and socks’ carts

Above us, tangled electricity cables formed entire universes on top of poles ⚡🕸️, just like in Southeast Asia. They were dangerous too.I was fine, but Roger being the taller one had to constantly watch his head.

A young man pushed a cart piled high with socks, wearing a pakol 🧢🧦. Men wearing pakols were everywhere. A couple of them were blowing soap bubbles and suddenly, in the middle of all this chaos, we were playing with floating bubbles. It felt like pure magic.

Mosques, Temples and Ladies Passages

We passed through an alley framed by a tall mosque minaret on one side and a worn-down Hindu temple on the other 🕌🛕. The scene was absurdly cinematic. 

The layers of identity, culture, and contradiction never stopped unfolding.

There was also a “ladies passage,” where only women were allowed 👩‍🦱🚪. Inside, shops sold women’s goods, including burqas for little girls. Some women wore burqas that looked straight out of Afghanistan.

Khwaja Sira 

In a wider avenue, in the middle of the traffic, two trans women walked, dressed in traditional clothing with heavy makeup. What we were seeing were Khwaja Sira (often called hijra in South Asia). 

A bit of context: Khwaja Sira is a traditional South Asian identity that usually includes transgender women, intersex people, or gender-nonconforming men.

This isn’t a modern trend. Khwaja Sira communities have existed in the region for centuries, including during Mughal times, where they sometimes held respected court positions.
Today, many live in close-knit communities led by a guru, but sadly face major discrimination, which limits access to regular jobs.

Islamabad ‘s crazy!

Even the drive back to the hotel didn’t calm things down 🚓🥤. We passed a traffic police control… sponsored by Pepsi.

Islamabad was intense, contradictory, and unforgettable 🌍💥. Planned and chaotic, conservative and surreal, guarded and strangely warm. 

Strange, but absolutely fascinating.

🏃‍♀️ The Race🏃‍♂️

In Islamabad’s official website, it reads… “Islamabad, one of the most picturesque capital cities in the world, provides its citizens with scenic views of the surrounding area as well as numerous hiking and running routes” and it states that not until recently, there was a Marathon organised.

So in 2026 we decided to join its 6th edition and see how it really was to run this “picturesque” capital city!

Being there well ahead of time ⏰🌙

Our guide dropped us off at 6:30 a.m., when it was still dark. We cursed him because it was very, very cold. 🥶😅 But we ended up enjoying ourselves. We got to see how the organization was setting everything up and even chatted with the race director.

There were plenty of stalls for sponsors and sports associations, as well as a big stage blasting loud music. 🎤🎵 Hey, they even played “Rasputin” by Boney M!

We stretched our legs as the sun rose, and soon runners started arriving. 🌅🏃‍♂️ The venue was beautiful, right in front of the Baradari historic landmark in Fatimah Jinnah Park. Translated, it means “12 doors,” because of all the doorways formed by multiple arches. 🏛️✨

Warm-up 🔥💪

The race was set to start at 8 a.m. At 7:30, the event kicked off with the Pakistani National Anthem, while a video showcasing many aspects of Pakistan played. From miners to doctors and nurses, from jet planes to war frigates. 🇵🇰🎬

Then the stage was taken over by a fitness coach who apparently is a regular at pre-marathon warm-ups. She made us all sweat. Burpees included! 😅🔥 All while shouting, “Energy, energy!”

We set off! 🚀🏃‍♀️

The event started quite punctually for the marathoners, half marathoners, and 10k runners. The 5k runners started two hours later, exactly when we were finishing 🙂⏱️

The first few meters were crowded, so we even had to stop and walk. But soon we hit a very wide avenue that made the run much more enjoyable. Especially since it was slightly downhill. 😌⬇️

The route 🗺️✨

The route is mostly flat and very wide, except for the first and final meters inside the park. The half marathoners did one lap, while the marathoners had to do two. The 10k runners followed the same route but turned around at kilometer 5.

It’s quite scenic. You get to see the Faisal Mosque, along with plenty of skyscrapers revealing a city that is modernizing very quickly. 🕌🏙️

The different routes were very clearly marked. So clearly that the signs were massive! We couldn’t resist making videos of them. 📹😂

Hydration 💧🍌

There were hydration points every 2.5 kilometers, stocked with everything. Gatorade in all flavors, both cups and bottles, water, bananas, and more. And of course, the race sponsor: Milo. Funnily enough, after seeing it advertised at hundreds of stalls across Asia and Africa, I tried it for the first time during this race. And I liked it a lot! 😋👏

Here’s me holding the bottle:

Kudos to the organization. Hydration points are usually not this frequent.

The crowd 🙌😊

This is where the marathon really stood out. People were incredibly nice. So nice that they chatted with us during the race, gave thumbs-ups, asked questions. “How many times this race?” was the favorite 😂. And they constantly encouraged us.

There were no funny signs or costumes like in other marathons, although we did see a few guys running in suits. You can see one in the following image:

Super glamorous and surprisingly fast! 🤵‍♂️⚡ There were also some “music points,” with a couple of guys playing traditional drums. I loved it. It gave the race a very local flavor. 🥁❤️

The end. I came in 3rd!! 🥉🤯

We entered the finish area just as the 5k was about to start, and I wasn’t even sure we had finished when a guy from the organization stopped me, took a picture, and noted down my bib.

“Why?” I asked.
“You are third female.”
I definitely wasn’t expecting that! 😲🎉

So of course, we stayed for the closing ceremony.

The closing ceremony 🎶🏆

The closing ceremony was such a party! They played “Stand Up (for the Champions)” every time they awarded a prize. A song that’s been stuck in my head ever since 😂🎵

I went up on stage and received my prize: 35,000 rupees for my 3rd place in the Half Marathon! How cool is that? 💸✨ It was the first time I ever won money from running, and I was over the moon.

I was also surprised to see very young winners. The second female in the 10k looked like a teenager. A very fast teenager! 😄⚡

In summary 🏁❤️

A great event. A very well-organized marathon with a fantastic atmosphere. Well done, “Islamabad Run With Us!” 👏🏃‍♀️

🍜 Carboloading 🍝: What to eat in Islamabad if you are a runner

🥔 High-Carb Dishes (Pre-Run Fuel)

Before your race, focus on easily digestible carbohydrates to fuel your muscles.

Popular options in Pakistan include parathas, plain naan, or chapati with a bit of honey or jam.

Fruit like bananas, papaya, or dates are excellent natural sources of energy, while oats or semolina porridge give a slower release of energy for longer runs.

Avoid heavy, fried foods right before running to prevent discomfort.

🥩 High-Protein Dishes (Post-Run Recovery)

Hydration with lassi, coconut water, or plain water is essential to replace lost fluids.

After your run, protein is key to help muscles recover. In Pakistan, you can enjoy eggs, yogurt, or paneer for quick, local options.

Grilled chicken or fish, lentils (dal), and chickpeas (chana) provide excellent protein while staying light. Pair with some roti or rice to replenish carbohydrates and restore energy levels efficiently.

🏆 Islamabad Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k and 5k.

🌐 Website: https://www.islamabadrunwithus.com/

🏃 Number of runners: 5000.

🗓️ When: End of January in Islamabad, Pakistan.

👟 Urban: bring shoes for asphalt.

✅ Well-organized with clear routes, signage, and frequent hydration points 💧🏃‍♀️

✅ Friendly, supportive crowd and lively atmosphere with music and local flavor 🎶🙌

⚠️ Initial congestion at the start may require some walking before runners spread out 🚶‍♂️

“The Reluctant Fundamentalist”, by Mohsin Hamid

This novel is an excellent companion for traveling to Pakistan because it offers emotional and cultural context rather than a guidebook view. Hamid captures Lahore’s intellectual energy, social codes, and postcolonial tensions with clarity and nuance.

Reading it helps travelers understand conversations around identity, pride, and global perception, making everyday interactions in Pakistan richer, more informed, and more meaningful.