India’s premier long-distance runner Gulveer Singh delivered one of the standout performances of the domestic athletics season by rewriting the national record in the men’s 25km at the Tata Steel World 25K in Kolkata on Sunday.
Competing in a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, Gulveer clocked a superb 1:12:06 to not only win the Indian Elite men’s title but also finish an impressive fifth overall in a world-class international field.
The timing marked a significant leap forward in Indian road running. Gulveer bettered his own national record of 1:14:10, set at the same event last year, cutting more than two minutes off his previous best. In distance running, particularly over a demanding 25km course, such an improvement is substantial and underlines the consistency and progression Gulveer has shown over the past two seasons.
Kolkata once again provided the stage for elite road racing, with the Tata Steel World 25K attracting some of the finest endurance athletes in the world. The international men’s race was won by Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, the world record holder and multiple-time world and Olympic champion, who crossed the line in 1:11:49. Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu followed in second with 1:11:56, while Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana took third in 1:11:59. Kenya’s Collins Kipkorir finished fourth in 1:12:02, just ahead of Gulveer, who completed the course in 1:12:06.
That Gulveer finished within seconds of some of the world’s best road runners speaks volumes about the quality of his run. While the Indian Elite category title was firmly his, the broader significance lay in his overall placing. A fifth-place finish in a Gold Label race featuring reigning world champions and Olympic medallists is a rare achievement for an Indian male distance runner and highlights the narrowing gap between India’s best and the global elite.
From the early kilometres, Gulveer looked composed and controlled, sticking to his race plan rather than being drawn into the aggressive early pace set by the front pack. Known primarily for his track exploits where he holds national records in the 3000m, 5000m and 10,000m Gulveer has steadily adapted his strengths to road racing. His smooth stride, efficient cadence and ability to maintain rhythm over long distances were evident as he steadily moved through the field.
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The Tata Steel World 25K has emerged as a crucial platform for Indian distance runners, offering exposure to elite competition and the opportunity to test themselves against the best. For Gulveer, this event has now become something of a personal benchmark. Breaking his own national record at the same race for a second consecutive year reinforces his status as India’s leading male long-distance runner on both track and road.
Beyond the numbers, this performance carries broader implications for Indian athletics. Road running events of international stature have often highlighted the gulf between Indian runners and the global elite. Gulveer’s run in Kolkata suggests that, with structured training, international exposure and consistent competition, Indian athletes can compete credibly at this level.
As the final major Indian athletics event of 2025, the Tata Steel World 25K provided a fitting stage for such a landmark performance. Gulveer Singh’s 1:12:06 will stand not just as a national record, but as a statement of intent heading into the next phase of his career.
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With the Asian circuit and global championships on the horizon, the challenge now will be to build on this momentum and translate these road performances into sustained success on the international stage.
