ISLAMABAD: From the bustling streets of Islamabad to the challenging trails of the Galiyat Mountains, Muzammil Shahzad has rapidly become one of Pakistan’s most impressive athletes, steadily carving a name for himself in both road and ultra-trail racing. What began as a simple quest for fitness soon blossomed into a relentless pursuit of excellence, marked by personal records, podium finishes, and a growing reputation at the national level.
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His running journey, like many athletes, was rooted in the desire for health and fitness. Initially, his focus was on losing weight and building a strong physique through running, hiking, and at-home callisthenics. However, everything changed when a fitness partner introduced him to the Islamabad Running Club (IRC). It was at a Park Run organised by IRC that he discovered the electrifying world of competitive running. From that moment onward, he never looked back. With relentless dedication, he soon began to rack up personal bests (PBs) across every distance, whether on smooth roads or rugged trails.
In May 2023, he ran his first competitive half marathon at the Red Bull Wings for Life World Run, clocking a solid personal best of 1 hour 35 minutes. But that was just the beginning. By November 2023, he improved his time to 1 hour 24 minutes during the Capital Half Marathon, a testament to his rapid progression. Today, his personal best stands at an impressive 1 hour 20 minutes 17 seconds.
His remarkable trajectory didn’t stop with half marathons. In 2024, he made his marathon debut in Islamabad, finishing in 3 hours 3 minutes—claiming 6th place overall.
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Just a year later, at the Karachi Marathon in 2025, he shaved off significant time, finishing in 2 hours 53 minutes, securing a top-10 finish.
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Equally adept at ultra-trail events, he has proven his mettle on some of the most gruelling terrains. In the Galiyat Mountain Trail Race 2023, a 20km event with a UTMB Index, he finished in 2nd place with a time of 1 hour 53 minutes.
His commitment to the trail was further demonstrated in 2024 when he completed the 60km Galiyat Mountain Trail with a finish time of 6 hours 55 minutes.
Notably, in May 2024, he achieved a landmark victory by winning the Wings for Life World Run in Pakistan, covering over 32km and securing the title of first place in the country.
His growing list of accolades also includes a 2nd place finish at the Margalla Trail Running Festival 2025, where he clocked 2 hours 4 minutes in the 20km UTMB Index Race.
A master of both speed and endurance, he has a personal best of 17 minutes 16 seconds in the 5km and 37 minutes 52 seconds for the 10km. The 10km PB achieved during a half marathon race and 5km PB in a time trial.
Looking ahead, he has set his sights on the UTMB World Series Ultra Races abroad, with plans to compete in Chiang Mai, Thailand, before eventually working his way to the highly coveted UTMB finals in Chamonix, France. In addition to ultra-races, he is also preparing to participate in a number of international marathons.
Through dedication, consistency, and a passion for pushing his limits, Muzammil has quickly made a name for himself. His journey is far from over, and with each race, he continues to inspire other athletes.
Here is what he had to say in response to questions from WE News English.
Your running journey began with fitness goals. Can you share the moment when running transformed from a fitness routine to a competitive passion?
Well, my first major competition was the Inter-Club Hill Half Marathon 2023, and it made me really passionate about competitions. Meeting and training with other athletes in the club helped me stay consistent and improve over time.
Achieving personal records across various distances is impressive. What do you believe has been the most significant factor contributing to your rapid progression?
Consistency in training is the most significant factor in my progress, and the support from senior members and training partners in the club has been key to maintaining that consistency.
Completing your first marathon in under three hours is a remarkable feat. Reflecting on that experience, what moment stands out the most to you?
I achieved this feat in the Karachi Marathon 2025, and there were quite a few moments to remember.
Mubariz Bukhari, a champion runner from my club (IRC), opted to DNF due to stomach issues. Despite having a bad day, he was helping other runners, including me, with fuelling and offering gels. At another point, about one mile from the finish line, Furqan Masood and Saad Sikandar were supporting runners with gels and encouraging them just when they needed it.
Trail races like the Galiyat Mountain Trail present unique challenges. How do you mentally and physically prepare for such demanding terrains?
In Islamabad, we have a variety of beautiful trails to train on for Ultra Trail events. I do some really long runs on these trails to condition my body, and I also visit the race route to get a feel for race day by visualising it. Long trail runs prepare me physically and mentally for the race.
Winning the Wings for Life World Run in Pakistan must have been a pivotal achievement. What did that victory teach you about your limits and potential?
The Wings for Life event starts at the same time all over the world on the first weekend of May. In Pakistan, the start time is 4:00 pm, which is a challenge considering the weather in Islamabad at that time of year. It taught me that if you convince your mind that something is achievable, your body will follow the commands of your brain. Human physiology is incredible, and anything is achievable if you put in the effort and commitment.
With aspirations to compete in international ultra-races, how are you adjusting your training and mindset to meet the challenges ahead?
I have been following Ultra Trail Running events and Ultra Runners around the world for some time now, and seeing them perform made me realise that I need to do a lot more to compete at the international level. I have made changes in my fuelling and training strategies to meet the requirements of international standards.
Your transition from at-home calisthenics to trail podiums is inspiring. What message would you like to convey to aspiring runners in Pakistan about dedication and perseverance?
My message to runners in Pakistan is to stay consistent and never give up when things get tough, because you grow when you persevere despite setbacks. Take care of your strength and nutrition, as they are just as important as the running itself. Most importantly, enjoy the process.
