Gopi Thonakal’s Valencia Marathon Run Rekindles Indian Marathon Hope

Indian long-distance running witnessed a moment that felt both historic and deeply emotional at the Valencia Marathon, as Gopi Thonakal came agonisingly close to breaking one of the longest-standing national records in Indian athletics.

Clocking 2:12:23, the Olympian finished just 23 seconds shy of the men’s marathon national record of 2:12:00, set by the legendary Shivnath Singh in 1978 a record that has stood for nearly 47 years.

Competing in a World Athletics Platinum Label race renowned for fast courses, elite pacing, and depth Gopi finished 46th overall in a world-class field. His run was not just about placement, but about context: no Indian male marathoner has crossed the 2:12 barrier in almost half a century.

Gopi’s Valencia performance marked a massive personal best, bettering his previous best of 2:13:39 set in Korea in 2019 by over a minute. For a marathon runner in his mid-30s, especially one who has battled injuries and form setbacks in recent years, this was a statement that defied conventional expectations.

The Army runner ran with discipline and control through most of the race, holding an impressively consistent pace of around 5 minutes per mile. For long stretches, the record looked genuinely under threat. However, at around the 36 km mark, Gopi experienced cramps a cruel reminder of how unforgiving the marathon can be. Those few lost seconds ultimately made the difference between history and heartbreak.

Revisiting Shivnath Singh’s Legacy

Gopi’s run also brought renewed attention to Shivnath Singh’s iconic 1978 record, achieved in Tokyo under vastly different conditions limited sports science, basic footwear, and minimal international exposure. That the record has survived untouched for nearly five decades speaks both to the brilliance of Shivnath Singh and to the challenges Indian marathon running has faced since.

Even without breaking the mark, Gopi’s effort felt symbolic a reminder that Indian athletes are once again knocking on doors once thought permanently closed.

A Collective Step Forward for Indian Marathon Running

Valencia was not just about Gopi Thonakal. It also marked a breakthrough day for Indian men’s marathon depth.

• Man Singh clocked a personal best of 2:13:25,
• AB Belliappa followed with 2:14:07, also a PB.

These performances place Gopi (2:12:23), Man Singh (2:13:25), and AB Belliappa (2:14:07) as the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fastest Indian male marathoners of all time, respectively. Such clustering of fast times at a single elite international event is rare in Indian athletics and suggests a gradual rise in marathon standards. Back home, Anish Thapa, who ran 2:16:41 at the Mumbai Marathon, remained the fastest Indian domestically highlighting the stark difference that fast courses and global race environments can make.

What makes Gopi’s run especially remarkable is its timing. At 35+ years of age, after multiple injury spells and lean seasons, many had begun to wonder if his best days were behind him. Valencia turned that narrative on its head.

The race showcased not just physical preparedness but also mental resilience the hallmark of an elite marathoner. To return with such a performance after setbacks is a reminder that endurance athletes often peak later, provided the system supports consistency and injury management.

While the national record remains intact for now, Gopi Thonakal’s 2:12:23 has redefined what feels possible for Indian marathon running. If conditions align and health holds, it no longer feels unrealistic that the 47-year-old mark could finally fall before it reaches its 50th anniversary.

For Indian athletics, Valencia was more than a race. It was a sign of momentum, belief, and revival.

For Gopi Thonakal, it was a run that reaffirmed his place among India’s great distance runners and perhaps, a prelude to history still waiting to be written.