NATHIA GALI: Margalla Trail Runners successfully hosted the 5th Galiyat Mountain Trail Race on July 18 and 19, 2026, marking a historic milestone with Pakistan’s first-ever 100km trail ultra-marathon.
More than 400 participants, including elite athletes, international runners, diplomats, women, children and adventure enthusiasts from around the world, gathered in Nathia Gali for Pakistan’s premier trail running event.
The race featured four internationally recognised categories — 100km, 60km, 40km and 20km — across the Himalayan foothills of the Galiyat region. Starting from Nathia Gali Club and Thandiyani Top, the routes crossed iconic peaks, including Mushkpuri and Miranjani, before finishing at Khaira Gali/Jandala.
All four categories were officially certified by the International Trail Running Association and qualified for the UTMB Index, further strengthening Pakistan’s position as an emerging destination for world-class trail running, adventure tourism and healthy outdoor lifestyles.
Reflecting on the significance of the milestone, Javed Ali Noonari, founder of Margalla Trail Runners, said that despite the challenging weather, the passion of runners, volunteers, partners and supporters made the event a remarkable success.
“We are proud to introduce Pakistan’s first-ever 100km trail ultra-marathon — a milestone for endurance sports in the country. Welcoming over 400 participants from Pakistan and around the world reflects the growing momentum of trail running, and we remain committed to inspiring a stronger running culture while showcasing Pakistan’s incredible mountains,” he said.
A major highlight of the weekend was the Run for Education, organised by UNICEF Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in partnership with Margalla Trail Runners, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education Department and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The 500-metre Kids Fun Run encouraged children to run with a shared purpose of championing education, promoting active lifestyles and advocating for brighter futures for every child. The initiative reflected the event’s broader commitment to youth empowerment, community engagement and ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
The fifth edition welcomed both elite and recreational runners from Pakistan and abroad, with strong participation from women across all race categories. Members of the diplomatic community also attended the event, highlighting growing international interest in Pakistan’s adventure sports and mountain tourism.
The inaugural 100km ultra-marathon became the defining achievement of the event. Athar Akhtar and Muzammal Shahzad shared first place in the men’s category after crossing the finish line together, while Anum Uzair became the first women’s champion in Pakistan’s inaugural 100km trail race.
In the remaining categories, Wiqar Ahmed won the 60km race, Atta Samad and Shazia Jamal secured the men’s and women’s 40km titles, while Israr Khattak and international athlete Allegra Aiuto emerged victorious in the 20km race.
Sharing their experience, one international participant said: “The trails, breathtaking scenery, and warm hospitality made this an unforgettable race. Pakistan has everything it takes to become a world-class trail running destination, and I’m grateful to have been part of this historic event.”
A Pakistani participant said the event was exceptionally well organised despite the weather. “From well-equipped volunteers and trail guides to hydration stations and medical support, every runner felt looked after throughout the course. It’s inspiring to see trail running in Pakistan reaching this standard,” the participant said.
The organisers said the successful delivery of the event was made possible through the support of the District Administration Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emergency and medical services, law enforcement agencies, volunteers, sponsors, partners and the local communities of Galiyat, whose collective efforts ensured a safe and memorable race weekend despite challenging weather conditions.
Now in its fifth edition, the Galiyat Mountain Trail Race has established itself as Pakistan’s flagship trail running event, creating opportunities for athletes to compete on internationally recognised courses while showcasing the country’s mountain landscapes to the world.
The successful introduction of Pakistan’s first 100km ultra-marathon marks another significant step in the growth of endurance sports, adventure tourism and outdoor recreation in Pakistan.
OD Sports served as the Official Digital and Coverage Partner for the event, leading the end-to-end digital campaign, creative design, branding, photography, videography and on-trail coverage throughout the race weekend. Despite challenging weather conditions across the mountain trails, the team documented every stage of the event, ensuring the stories, achievements and spirit of Pakistan’s growing trail running community reached audiences across the country and around the world.
