Indian athletics witnessed yet another historic moment as Gulveer Singh rewrote his own 10,000m national record (NR) at the 2025 Sound Running The TEN in California, USA.
The 26-year-old distance runner clocked an astonishing 27:00.22 minutes, finishing sixth in the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver level meet. This performance not only cemented his status as India’s greatest long-distance runner but also made him the third-fastest Asian of all time in the 10,000m event.
Gulveer Singh’s Spectacular Progression
Gulveer Singh’s rise in the 10,000m has been nothing short of phenomenal. Over the past year, he has shaved off more than 40 seconds from his personal best, an incredible improvement in long-distance running.
• March 2024 – 27:41.81
• November 2024 – 27:14.88
• March 2025 – 27:00.22
This latest record-breaking run saw him miss the World Championships automatic qualification mark (27:00.00) by just 22 milliseconds, but with his current form and ranking, he is expected to qualify through the world rankings.
Indian Athletes Shine at The TEN
Apart from Gulveer’s sensational feat, other Indian athletes also delivered impressive performances at the prestigious meet:
• Kartik Kumar (10,000m) – 28:01.90 (PB, 2nd fastest all-time for India)
• Rahul Harveer Singh (1500m) – 3:41.10
• Seema (10,000m) – 32:07.57
• Ankita (1500m) – 4:16.07
Kartik Kumar, who won silver at the Asian Games, continues to be India’s second-best 10,000m runner, but with Gulveer now knocking on the sub-27-minute barrier, the gap between them is significant.
The Making of an Asian Distance Running Legend
With this latest record, Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh is on a mission to rewrite Indian and Asian distance-running history. At just 26 years old, his peak years are still ahead, and his versatility across events is remarkable. He currently holds four Indian national records across distances:
• 10,000m (outdoor): 27:00.22 (3rd fastest Asian of all time)
• 5,000m (outdoor): 13:11.82 (5th fastest Asian of all time)
• 5,000m (indoor): 12:59.77 (Fastest Asian of all time)
• 3,000m (indoor): 7:38.26 (2nd fastest Asian of all time)
His ability to excel in both 5,000m and 10,000m makes him India’s best long-distance runner in history. Given favorable race conditions and high-level competition, he has the potential to dip below 26:50 minutes, a feat achieved by only a handful of elite runners worldwide.
Breaking Barriers for Indian Distance Running
For decades, India struggled to produce world-class long-distance runners.
The sub-28-minute barrier in the 10,000m once seemed out of reach. Now, sub-27 minutes is becoming a real possibility, thanks to Gulveer’s continuous evolution. His ability to understand his body, training, and race strategy has been instrumental in his rapid rise.
While India lacks strong domestic competition in the 10,000m, Gulveer’s training abroad and exposure to high-caliber international meets have played a crucial role in his development. His performances are inspiring the next generation of Indian distance runners to dream bigger.
What’s Next for Gulveer Singh?
Gulveer’s immediate focus will be on securing his place at the 2025 World Championships and preparing for the 2026 Asian Games. Given his rapid progression, he will also have his eyes set on breaking the sub-27 barrier, a milestone that could place him among the world’s top distance runners.
His 5,000m and 10,000m records make him a strong contender for major international medals. With continued improvement, Gulveer has the potential to become one of Asia’s all-time greats in distance running.
Conclusion
Gulveer Singh’s record-breaking performance at The TEN is a testament to his hard work, discipline, and dedication to the sport. Smashing the 10,000m national record for the third time in a year, becoming the third-fastest Asian ever, and just missing the Worlds qualification mark by milliseconds—this is the story of a true champion in the making.
As Indian distance running takes a giant leap forward, Gulveer Singh is leading the charge. Will he be the first Indian to break 27 minutes? The answer may come sooner than we think!
