Fast and furious: Peshawar’s marathoners hitch a ride to the finish line!

PESHAWAR: In what was meant to be a historic moment for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province’s first-ever marathon in Peshawar quickly went from a sprint to a slippery saga of mismanagement, with some athletes seemingly more interested in catching a lift than breaking a sweat!

The 25-kilometre race, which kicked off in Chamkani and was meant to conclude at the Hayatabad Sports Complex, attracted over 3,000 participants from across the country. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who announced cash prizes for the winners – Rs 400,000 for first place, Rs 300,000 for second, and Rs 200,000 for third, and in total Rs 1.5 million in total for top performers.

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But just as the race gained momentum, heavy rain began pouring down sending many athletes running for cover along the BRT route. Some participants reportedly opted for a ride to the finish line, on motorbikes and some even on cars.

While Rescue 1122 teams were deployed to offer assistance, they couldn’t exactly help with the growing number of runners hopping onto vehicles and waving goodbye to their marathon dreams. Witnesses claim a few athletes appeared suspiciously fresh at the finish line, raising questions about their ‘quick’ progress.

In the end, a Pak Army athlete took first place, calling it “the toughest track” he’d ever experienced. The Army also claimed several other top spots, but even their success couldn’t drown out the growing frustration among the other competitors. Allegations flew of poor management, with some accusing participants of joining the race halfway.

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By the time the prize distribution ceremony rolled around, chaos had fully erupted. Police were called in to restore order as complaints about cheating reached a boiling point. Organisers scrambled to reassure the public, with the sports advisor promising that cameras installed along the race route would catch any rule-breakers. He vowed that any ‘athletes’ caught riding vehicles would be banned from future events.

Despite the drama, the organisers are optimistic. One thing’s for sure, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s first marathon will certainly be remembered, though maybe not for all the right reasons!