India’s premier long-distance runner Gulveer Singh opened his outdoor season with a commanding performance at The Ten Track Festival in California, setting a new national record in the men’s 10,000 meters. Clocking an extraordinary 27:00.22 minutes, the 26-year-old athlete came within striking distance of breaking the coveted sub-27-minute barrier—an achievement that would place him among the global elite in distance running. While the milestone remained elusive, Singh’s finish, sixth overall in a highly competitive field, marks a significant leap forward for Indian athletics on the international stage.
New National Record Bolsters Singh’s Rising Legacy
In a race stacked with world-class contenders, Gulveer Singh once again proved he belongs on the global track. His time of 27:00.22 minutes not only shattered his previous national best of 27:14.88, but also underscored his upward trajectory as a distance runner of consequence.
Singh had already broken the Indian 10,000m record twice in 2023—first in San Juan Capistrano with 27:41.81, and later in Hachioji, Japan with 27:14.88. The new benchmark at this season’s World Athletics Continental Tour event solidifies his position as India’s fastest man over 25 laps.
Breaking Barriers: Sub-27 Remains in Sight
Though Singh had publicly aimed to dip under the 27-minute threshold, the final result narrowly missed the mark. Reflecting on his run, Singh noted that he fell short of his goal pace by the halfway point—an inflection point that cost him precious seconds.
“I was slightly off my goal pace at the half-way mark, which robbed me of a sub-27 performance,” Singh said in a post-race statement. Even so, the 26-year-old from Uttar Pradesh demonstrated remarkable composure and finishing strength, moving up from seventh to sixth in the final stages.
Race Dynamics and Competitive Field
The race, held in San Juan Capistrano, was tightly choreographed with an American pacer, Joey Berriatua, helping establish an aggressive early tempo. The leading pack completed the first 4,000 meters in 10:48.09, ensuring a high-caliber race from the outset.
Ultimately, the top five runners dipped below the 27-minute mark. Ishmael Kipkurui, representing the University of New Mexico, clinched victory with an exceptional 26:50.21—a time that reflects just how elite the field was. Singh’s performance, while outside the top five, remains India’s best-ever showing in the discipline.
Singh’s Range: National Record Holder in Two Distances
Notably, Gulveer Singh also holds the Indian national record in the 5,000 meters, having clocked 13:11.82 minutes in 2023. His ability to excel across both middle- and long-distance track events is a testament to his versatility, aerobic endurance, and tactical maturity.
This dual-hold on Indian records positions him as a critical figure in the future of India’s track and field program—especially as the country prepares for major global meets like the World Championships and the 2026 Asian Games.
Indian Contingent Delivers Mixed Results
Several other Indian athletes participated in various track events at the meet, with varied outcomes:
Kartik Kumar, also competing in the men’s 10,000m, posted a time of 28:11.34, finishing eighth.
In the men's 1500m, Rahul completed his race in 3:41.10, also securing eighth position.
On the women’s side, Seema clocked 32:14.66 in the 10,000m, placing 19th.
Ankita stood out in the women’s 1500m, finishing third with a competitive 4:13.97.
These performances reflect a growing base of Indian middle- and long-distance runners training and competing internationally.
Training Under Elite Guidance in Colorado Springs
A key factor in the improvement of India’s distance runners is their ongoing training stint in Colorado Springs, USA, under the supervision of renowned foreign coach Scott Simmons. High-altitude conditioning, combined with exposure to world-class competition, is proving instrumental in narrowing the performance gap between Indian athletes and their global peers.
For Gulveer Singh, the structured training environment is clearly paying dividends, as he continues to chip away at internationally significant benchmarks with precision and persistence.
Looking Ahead: A New Era for Indian Distance Running?
With every outing, Singh is not just rewriting national records—he is reframing expectations. His near-sub-27 performance brings India tantalizingly close to a threshold few believed reachable a decade ago. If Singh maintains this trajectory, India may soon see its first global finalist—or even medalist—in a long-distance track event.
While the 27-minute barrier remains a psychological and athletic summit, Gulveer Singh has planted his flag firmly near the peak. The climb continues, but the summit is now unmistakably within sight.
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