Pakistani triathlete Shahrez Khan eyes global glory at Ironman 70.3 World Championship

TTS Report :

Lahore-born triathlete Shahrez Khan has qualified for the prestigious Ironman 70.3 World Championship, set to take place on November 9, 2025, in Marbella, Spain. He has become the second Pakistani to achieve this milestone after Khurram Khan.

Shahrez’s remarkable 7th-place finish in his age category at the Ironman 70.3 race in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, secured his spot among the world’s elite endurance athletes. The grueling race included a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride, and a 21.1 km half marathon, completed amid punishing tropical heat.

“Crossing that finish line and realizing I’d qualified, it was overwhelming. A moment of pure pride for Pakistan,” said Shahrez. He currently ranks among the top 5% of Ironman athletes globally in the AWA (All World Athlete) category.

Shahrez, son of Aleema Khan and nephew of former PM Imran Khan, has carved a sporting identity of his own. An Aitchison College alumnus, he competed in athletics, football, and swimming from an early age. His passion deepened during his time at the University of Western Ontario, and later while earning an MBA from Oxford University.

At Oxford, he joined the Said Business School (University of Oxford) cross-country team, training daily on the lush tracks of Christ Church Meadows. Shahrez leads the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region for Simba Global, a multinational textile supplier.

Shahrez’s Ironman journey began in 2022 after completing a challenging half marathon in Islamabad. Though strong in running and swimming, cycling was a new beast. He adapted quickly, building a “pain cave” in his Lahore home to train indoors during smog seasons.

Outdoor sessions included Bagh-e-Jinnah runs and cycling in DHA Phase 7 with his local athlete group. Training intensified to 18 hours per week during the race season. “Brick workouts,” combining back-to-back cycling and running, helped simulate race-day fatigue.

Shahrez’s mission goes hand-in-hand with Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed, CEO of ACTIVIT & Director of National Hospital DHA Lahore, who has been pivotal in fueling his athletic journey and triumphs in international events. Together, they have organised cross-country camps at Aitchison College and are mentoring young Pakistani athletes in endurance sports.

“We aim to inspire a generation stuck in sedentary lifestyles,” they said. “Sports build discipline, resilience, and clarity.” Despite Pakistan’s lack of triathlon infrastructure, Shahrez envisions a future where the country hosts global endurance events. “We have the landscape, mountains, rivers, coastlines. Why not?”

Shahrez’s message to aspiring athletes is clear: “Dedication, grit, and discipline will take you beyond what you think is possible. The physical and mental rewards are limitless.” Shahrez remains deeply committed to showcasing Pakistan on the world stage, not just as an athlete, but as a mentor and movement-builder in endurance sports.

“Let’s do something great for Pakistan and for the next generation,” he said, echoing a dream shared with fellow Aitchisonian & Sports Advocate Rd. Rizwan. With Marbella 2025 on the horizon, Shahrez Khan isn’t just chasing a title, he’s racing to rewrite what’s possible for Pakistan in global sports.