From the mustard fields of Sirsa in Uttar Pradesh to the top of the Asian podium, Gulveer Singh’s journey is not just one of speed and stamina, but also of grit, sacrifice, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
In just a few years, the Armyman has risen to become India’s premier long-distance runner, breaking national records and rewriting the narrative of Indian athletics.
Humble Beginnings in Aligarh
Born in Sirsa village of Aligarh district, Gulveer Singh grew up with modest aspirations. Like many youth in rural Uttar Pradesh, his dream was to join the Indian Army. He achieved that goal in 2018, enlisting in the 23 Grenadiers unit. Little did he know that his time in uniform would also uncover a hidden gift — long-distance running.
While posted in Arunachal Pradesh, Gulveer’s raw talent emerged during an inter-unit cross-country event, where he stunned observers by completing a 10km race in under 31 minutes without formal training. This performance caught the attention of coach Yunus Khan from the Army Sports Institute (ASI), Pune. By 2021, under Khan’s guidance, Gulveer transitioned to structured training — a turning point in his athletic career.
The National Breakthrough
His breakthrough came quickly. At the 2022 Federation Cup in Calicut, Gulveer won a bronze in the 10,000m with a modest time of 29:22.44. This wasn’t just a medal — it was a personal milestone that earned him a promotion and instilled the belief that he belonged on the track.
In the same year, he won gold with a meet record at the National Games and started turning heads on the domestic circuit. But it was in 2023 and 2024 that he truly announced himself on the continental and global stage.
The Record Breaker
In March 2024, at “The Ten” in California, Gulveer broke a 16-year-old national record in the 10,000m, clocking 27:41.81 and surpassing Surendra Singh’s 2008 mark. Just eight months later, he bettered his own time, running 27:14.88 in Hachioji, Japan — all while missing the birth of his daughter back home.
His hunger didn’t stop there. In March 2025, he ran 27:00.22 at The Ten in the USA, shaving another 15 seconds off the national record. The time made him the third-fastest Asian ever in the 10,000m, establishing his status as a world-class performer.
In the 5000m, too, he broke records. At the 2023 Portland Track Festival, he clocked 13:18.92 to surpass Avinash Sable’s record. Then, in September 2024, he ran 13:11.82 in Niigata, Japan, clinching gold and another national record.
Triumph in Asia
Despite not qualifying for the Paris Olympics in 2024 — missing the 10,000m qualifying mark by a whisker — Gulveer stayed focused. His patience paid off in May 2025 at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea. There, on a humid evening, he won India’s first gold of the tournament, triumphing in the 10,000m with a time of 28:38.63. His final-lap surge and grit in the testing conditions showcased his maturity and tactical acumen.
It wasn’t his first podium on the continental stage. He won bronze in the 5000m at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok and another bronze at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in the 10,000m — where he finished just seconds behind fellow Indian Kartik Kumar and Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew.
These medals not only marked his consistency but also reflected India’s growing stature in long-distance running.
Colorado Springs and Global Exposure
A major factor in Gulveer’s development has been his overseas training under American coach Scott Simmons in Colorado Springs. The high-altitude base, which has hosted elite athletes like Paul Chelimo and Avinash Sable, helped Gulveer adapt to world-class training and competition routines.
Simmons believes that being exposed to elite runners early in his career accelerated Gulveer’s growth. “He was a 28-minute runner when he came to Colorado. Training with sub-27-minute athletes pushed his limits,” he said.
The American weather, recovery routines, and competitive exposure gave Gulveer the edge he needed. His performances post-training stints have shown a clear upward trajectory — proof that Indian distance runners, when given the right environment, can thrive globally.
Sacrifices and Motivation
Behind the success is a story of sacrifice. In 2024, Gulveer missed the birth of his daughter, Pari, while competing in Japan. He bought a tractor with his Asian Games prize money and got a custom decal on it — not just to mark his success but to inspire youngsters in Sirsa to dream bigger.
He admits the pain of being away from his daughter is immense. “I don’t think I’ll get a chance to go home until after the 2026 Asian Games. I hope when she grows up, she’ll understand why I had to be away,” he said.
For Gulveer, running isn’t just about medals. It’s a mission — to show what athletes from India’s villages can achieve with the right support.
Eyes on the World Championships
Despite all the accolades, Gulveer remains grounded. The World Championships qualifying standard for 10,000m is a brutal 27:00.00 — just a fraction faster than his personal best. For the 5000m, it’s 13:01.00. Yet, Gulveer believes he can get there. “In both my best races, I felt I had more to give. I believe I can go under 27 minutes,” he says.
His coaches echo that optimism. Simmons notes that Gulveer is still just 25 — young in long-distance terms — and should peak closer to the 2028 Olympic cycle.
Gulveer Singh’s rise isn’t just about one man. It represents the emergence of a new generation of Indian distance runners, spurred by support systems, improved coaching, international exposure, and a burning desire to compete at the highest level.
As the 2026 Asian Games and the 2027 World Championships loom, followed by the ultimate dream — the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics — Gulveer carries both expectation and inspiration.
In his smooth, efficient running style, there’s both grace and grit — the mark of a champion in the making.
