LAHORE: The 17-kilometre Lahore Marathon 2012, though a men-only affair, was a ‘mixed race’ in several ways on Sunday.

The race was dominated by professional athletes of armed forces, Rescue 1122, Wapda and police, which dismayed the generality of the people running the race.

“This is strange that a public event like marathon is taken away by professionals,” said Mubashar Husain, a participant.

Many professional athletes busy in warm-up were being instructed by their coaches. Many people, especially athletes, travelled to Lahore from other cities like Sahiwal, Faisalabad and Gujranwala to take part in the race. The race began at 10am and an estimated 8,000 people participated in it.

“I’m a full-time athlete and find no opportunity around the year to show my skills,” said Naeem, an athlete representing Gepco.

He said such marathons should be held in every district.

The event also seemed a competition of dresses; some wore designer shirts and shorts, a few wore shalwar kameez and several others were clad in casual trousers and shirts.

One Habibur Rehman bought a Nike shirt and trousers for the race on Saturday night. “Marathon is always a fun race and I wanted to enjoy it to the fullest,” said Habib, an A-level student. Beside him stood Kashif, a 22-year-old man wearing shalwar kameez and sandals.

“I will run barefoot as I feel easy that way,” he said. He said he knew many people would hoot him but he was not bothered about booing.

Once the race began, a child cyclist also joined it on Ferozepur Road. Many athletes saw opportunity in it and took a pillion ride with him. The cyclist was soon chucked away by the supervisors.

The public lined the race route to cheer and encourage the racers. Many onlookers passed witty and funny remarks. A group of youngsters standing at Muslim Town underpass called those leading the race ‘Petrol Racers’. Those following them were called ‘Diesel Cars’ and those at tail were called ‘CNG rickshaws’.

Several pairs of jogging shoes and socks were thrown by the participants. “I did not know my joggers would be worn out today,” said a man throwing away his jogging shoes pair.

Several kids sitting outside the Aitchison College gate near The Mall underpass offered sweets to the runners. One of the kids reminded a slow runner of a story of ‘hare and tortoise’ in which the slow but steady tortoise wins at the end of the day.

It was also a marathon of drinks; though several drank the water from roadside stalls set up by the organisers of the race, many runners had brought instant energy drinks to avoid dehydration. Most of the participants were youngsters and middle-aged men. A few old men also joined the race and remained the centre of attraction for the runners as well as onlookers.

Among them, 63-year-old Rehmat Elahi had come from Cavalry Ground. He said he “runs 20 kilometres every day and this 17-km race is not a big deal for him.” Mr Elahi ran steadily and reached the finishing line.

The race would have been a mixed affair if the lone woman participant, Bushra Rehmat, did not pull out. She said she did not know that the race was men-only.

“I’m a professional runner and I want to run to win Rs200,000, the first prize of the race,” she said, adding that male professionals would make her chance for the win slimmer.