The Margalla Trail Running Festival, organized by Margalla Trail Runners (MTR), is Pakistan’s premier trail running event held in the spectacular Margalla Hills National Park. As the organizer of Pakistan’s first-ever Trail Marathon, MTR offers race distances for everyone from the 300m Kids Trail Run to the 42K Marathon across the iconic Trail 4, Dhok Jewan, and Ridge Trail. All races are affiliated with the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), while the 21K and 42K races are official UTMB Index races, providing runners with internationally recognized trail running credentials. More than just a race, the festival celebrates adventure, endurance, community, and the natural beauty of Pakistan.
2025 Event Gallery
Margalla Trail Runners (MTR) organized the first-ever Margalla Trail Running Festival across the scenic trails of the Margalla Hills. The inaugural edition featured multiple trail races catering to runners of all ages and abilities, with distances ranging from the 300m Kids Trail Run to the Half Marathon (21K), marking the beginning of a new era for trail running in Pakistan.
2026-2027 annual
Events Schedule
Margalla Trail Runners (MTR) is a leading trail running organization in Pakistan dedicated to promoting trail running, endurance sports, and outdoor adventure through world-class events. MTR organizes a series of annual endurance events across Pakistan, including:
- Margalla Trail Running Festival – Held every February on the scenic Trail 4 and Dhok Jewan trails of the Margalla Hills, Islamabad. The festival features trail races ranging from 300 meters to the marathon distance & includes ITRA & UTMB Index certified races.
- Margalla Marathon – Conducted annually on the first Sunday of April, bringing together runners of all abilities for one of Pakistan’s premier road marathon events.
- Margalla Triathlon – Held on the third Sunday of April, offering athletes the opportunity to compete in a multi-sport endurance challenge.
- Galiyat Mountain Trail (GMT) – Organized during the first weekend of July on the spectacular trails of Galiyat, Pakistan. The event features 100 km, 70 km, 50 km, 30 km, and 20 km trail races, all recognized with ITRA and UTMB Index certification.
- Margalla Backyard Ultra (MBU) – Held annually on the first Saturday of December at Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9 Park), Islamabad. As Pakistan’s first-ever Backyard Ultra, MBU is officially affiliated with the international Backyard Ultra organization and follows the globally recognized “Last One Standing” race format.
Through these events, Margalla Trail Runners continues to develop Pakistan’s trail and endurance running community, providing professionally organized races that meet international standards while showcasing the country’s natural landscapes and fostering a culture of fitness, resilience, and adventure.