Over 1,000 Runners Join Islamabad 5KM Run to Fight Obesity
The event, titled “Slim Possible,” was organised by Islamabad Run With Us (IRU), the capital’s first running club, with enthusiastic participation from men, women and children.
More than 1,000 runners participated in a five-kilometre race at the Pakistan Sports Complex on Sunday, as Islamabad residents came together to promote physical fitness, raise awareness about obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles.
The event, titled “Slim Possible,” was organised by Islamabad Run With Us (IRU), the capital’s first running club, with enthusiastic participation from men, women and children.
The sponsored awareness initiative aimed to highlight the importance of regular physical activity and encourage people to dedicate time to their health despite their busy daily routines.
Islamabad Run With Us is among Pakistan’s pioneering running clubs and has played a significant role in introducing organised running activities and promoting the culture of races and marathons across the country.
The five-kilometre race attracted around 1,000 registered participants, with a particularly encouraging turnout of women and children. Families were seen participating together, reflecting growing public interest in fitness and recreational running.
The participation of parents alongside their children was considered a positive development, as healthy habits adopted by adults can encourage younger generations to embrace physically active lifestyles.
Participants welcomed the initiative, saying community running events provide an opportunity to step away from daily routines, prioritise personal well-being and engage in healthy outdoor activities.
Running clubs, marathons and community races have gained increasing popularity across Pakistan in recent years, particularly in Islamabad, where fitness enthusiasts regularly participate in organised running events.
With the running season beginning in October, several races and fitness-related activities are expected to take place in the federal capital through March and April.
Qasim Naz, founder of Islamabad Run With Us (IRU), reiterated the central message of the event, encouraging people to dedicate just 40 minutes of their day to personal health and physical fitness.
“Dedicate just 40 minutes of your day to yourself and your health, because physical fitness is not merely a hobby but an investment in a healthier future,” he said.
The event highlighted the growing enthusiasm for community fitness in Islamabad, with organisers seeking to encourage more people, particularly families and young children, to make physical activity a regular part of their lives.
