India’s distance running circuit received a major boost on the continental stage as Army runner Havildar Harmanjot Singh secured a silver medal in the men’s 10km race at the 2026 Asian Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
In a race dominated by traditional long-distance powerhouses Japan and China, Harmanjot’s podium finish stood out as India’s lone medal-winning performance at the championships.
The 10km senior men’s race unfolded as a tactical contest from the outset, with the leading pack remaining largely intact through the early and middle phases. Harmanjot demonstrated composure and race intelligence throughout, maintaining his position among the front-runners over the undulating cross country terrain. The Indian runner stayed firmly in contention as the pace gradually intensified heading into the final stages.
With approximately 500 metres remaining, Harmanjot made a decisive move to surge ahead of the lead group, briefly taking control of the race and positioning himself for a potential gold medal finish. However, Japan’s Ryuji Miura a four-time Global Championships top-eight finisher in the 3000m steeplechase and the home favourite responded with a late burst of acceleration to reclaim the lead in the closing stretch.
Despite the late challenge, Harmanjot held on strongly to secure second place, marking one of the most significant cross country results for an Indian athlete in recent years.
The silver medal performance caps off a promising run of form for Harmanjot, who has shown consistency across road racing events in recent months. Earlier this season, he registered a victory at the Alwar Tiger International Half Marathon with a time of 1:01:46. While the event was not recognised by World Athletics, the performance underlined his growing credentials in longer-distance road racing formats.
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In addition, Harmanjot recorded a time of 1:15:11 over 25 kilometres at the Tata Steel Kolkata road race, another indication of his endurance base and ability to compete over extended distances. His transition from domestic road events to the demands of cross country racing at the continental level reflects a progression in both physical preparation and competitive maturity.
India’s medal tally at the 2026 Asian Cross Country Championships was otherwise limited, with athletes from Japan and China dominating proceedings across categories. In that context, Harmanjot’s silver medal assumes greater significance as a rare breakthrough for Indian endurance running in a discipline traditionally dominated by East Asian and West Asian nations.
Cross country running presents a distinct set of physiological and tactical challenges compared to track or road racing. The varying terrain, changes in elevation, and absence of a uniform racing surface demand adaptability in pacing, stride mechanics, and energy distribution. Harmanjot’s ability to remain within the lead group throughout the race and initiate a move in the final kilometre suggests improved race management under such variable conditions.
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The performance is expected to provide momentum for Indian distance runners as they build towards future international competitions. With road racing continuing to serve as a developmental pathway for endurance athletes in the country, results such as this underline the potential of Indian runners to translate domestic success into competitive outcomes on the continental stage.
He is currently training under Younus Khan, who also trained Gulveer Singh. Harmanjot Singh also won the Alwar Tiger International Half Marathon with a time of 1:01:46. This race was not a World Athletics event.
Harmanjot’s silver medal at Fukuoka not only marks a personal milestone but also reinforces the gradual resurgence of Indian men’s distance running across formats. As the international season progresses, performances of this nature will be crucial in sustaining interest and investment in long-distance disciplines within Indian athletics.
