Gulveer Singh

Gulveer Singh is India’s leading long-distance runner. In March 2026 he ran a half marathon in under an hour, a first for an Indian athlete, and the run was highlighted in episode 132 of Mann Ki Baat ^[1][3].

From the village to the Army

Singh was born in Sirsa, a village in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh, into a farming family with a tradition of military service ^[4][5]. His first aim was a steady job in the Army, and he trained on village roads and farm tracks to prepare for recruitment ^[5]. He joined the Grenadiers through the sports quota in 2018, and Army coaches soon spotted his endurance ^[4]. He now serves as a Naib Subedar ^[5].

Records

Singh holds India’s national records in the 3,000 m, 5,000 m and 10,000 m, along with the 25 km road record ^[2][4]. His 10,000 m best of 27:00.22 was set in 2025 ^[5].

At the New York City Half Marathon on 15 March 2026 he finished third in 59:42, behind Adriaan Wildschutt and Zouhair Talbi ^[2]. Avinash Sable had held the Indian best, 1:00:30, since the 2020 Delhi race ^[2][3]. The Athletics Federation of India announced it as a national record ^[2], but The Bridge noted that the New York course, whose start and finish are too far apart, does not meet World Athletics rules for records, so the time is an Indian best rather than a ratified record ^[3].

Medals

Singh won bronze in the 10,000 m at the 2022 Asian Games, and took both the 5,000 m and 10,000 m titles at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships ^[4][5]. In July 2026, at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, a strong finishing kick earned him silver in the 10,000 m in 27:49.78. It was India’s first medal in the men’s event at the Games ^[4][5].