Masood Khan Completes 1,850km Run in 24 Days
The Masood Khan Peshawar Karachi run ended in celebration at the Peshawar Sports Complex on Saturday, as the ultra-endurance athlete completed a 1,850-kilometre journey from Peshawar to Karachi on foot in 24 days. Officials welcomed him with floral garlands, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Department announced a cash award of Rs500,000 in recognition of the feat.
Director General Sports Wasal Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dawood Salimi, Additional Director General Sports Rasheeda Ghaznavi, Director Operations Jamshed Baloch and other officials attended the reception. Wasal Khan said Masood had brought honour to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan through determination, courage and hard work, and he described the feat as an inspiration for young people.
A 24-day test of endurance on the Masood Khan Peshawar Karachi run
Masood covered between 70 and 85 kilometres each day, depending on conditions, and he prepared with 90 days of intensive training, spending around eight hours a day on physical preparation. He said the journey tested him severely, as he faced scorching heat, rain and other hardships along the way. At one point, he lost consciousness, but he continued with the challenge after recovering.
That daily distance puts the scale of the run in plain terms. Covering 70 to 85 kilometres a day, day after day, is roughly the length of two full marathons daily, sustained for more than three weeks. The 90 days of preparation, at eight hours a day, also explain how an athlete builds the base for such a load, although Masood himself stressed a simpler motivation: he wanted to honour the memory of his late father and bring recognition to Pakistan.
Wasal Khan said the provincial government was committed to supporting talented athletes and promoting sports. He also announced that the Sports Department would organise a marathon along the Bus Rapid Transit route in November, along with other sporting competitions. Dawood Salimi praised Masood’s perseverance, saying the achievement showed that difficult goals could be reached through dedication and consistent effort, and he said the district administration would continue supporting sports and positive activities for young people.
A record built over years, not one run
Masood is not a newcomer to extreme distance. He said he had won 49 medals in full and half-marathon competitions across Pakistan, including 24 gold medals. He also recalled completing another endurance challenge by covering approximately 808 kilometres on foot from Peshawar to Skardu in nine days.
The comparison is useful. The Skardu run averaged close to 90 kilometres a day over nine days, while the Karachi run averaged between 70 and 85 kilometres a day over 24 days. The shorter run was faster per day, but the Karachi run lasted nearly three times as long, which is where its difficulty lies. Endurance over 24 days is less about one fast day and more about recovery, food, sleep, heat, rain, and the discipline to start again each morning.
That background also gives the Rs500,000 award its context. It is a provincial recognition for an athlete who has already built a long record in domestic marathon running, rather than a prize for a single stunt. The planned BRT route marathon in November will be a separate test of whether that kind of interest can be turned into a regular event for other runners in Peshawar.
Frequently asked questions
How far did Masood Khan run from Peshawar to Karachi?
He ran 1,850 kilometres from Peshawar to Karachi on foot, completing the journey in 24 days at between 70 and 85 kilometres a day.
What award did Masood Khan receive?
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Department announced a cash award of Rs500,000 for Masood at a reception at the Peshawar Sports Complex, where officials welcomed him with floral garlands.
How did Masood Khan prepare for the run?
He prepared with 90 days of intensive training, spending around eight hours a day on physical preparation, and he said he faced scorching heat and rain during the run, losing consciousness at one point before continuing.
What other endurance feats has Masood Khan completed?
He said he has won 49 medals in full and half-marathon competitions across Pakistan, including 24 gold medals, and he previously covered approximately 808 kilometres on foot from Peshawar to Skardu in nine days.
