Mawlana Hazar Imam crossed the finish line at the Chicago Marathon, one of the seven World Marathon Majors, on his birthday, Sunday 12 October 2025. He completed the 26.2 mile (42.2 km) course in just under five hours.
Mawlana Hazar Imam was delighted to see members of the Jamat participating in the marathon and asked that his warm congratulations be conveyed to them, as well as his appreciation for the support he received from Jamati members in the crowd.
In his recent Farmans, Hazar Imam encouraged the Jamat to stay active and take part in physical activity.
“Make some time to move every day and play sports when you can. Whatever your age, and however busy you are, everyone can make an effort to move more,” he said to the Jamat gathered for didar in Nairobi, Kenya. “This will be good for your physical and your mental health,” he added.
Alongside his many responsibilities, Hazar Imam himself makes time to enjoy surfing and distance running. He completed the Berlin Marathon in 2024.
The marathon is widely considered the pinnacle of endurance running. It is a test of physical stamina, mental fortitude, and strategic pacing; and requires weeks of rigorous training, nutrition planning, and recovery. Even so, distance running is accessible, with no special equipment or surface required. Major marathon events attract upwards of 50,000 entrants, featuring a mix of elite athletes and recreational runners alike.
Held every October, the Chicago Marathon is a highly anticipated event on the World Athletics calendar. The route begins at Grant Park, and weaves its way through the neighbourhoods of the city’s North Side, West Side and South Side, before returning to the centre of downtown Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Since being established in 1977, the race has steadily risen in popularity thanks to its flat course and local community support. Each year, runners are assisted by more than 12,000 volunteers at aid stations spread throughout the route. Last year, the event raised a record-breaking US $30m in support of over 200 national and global nonprofit organisations.
