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India’s top long-distance runner Gulveer Singh created history once again after producing a sensational performance in the men’s 5000m event at the LA Track Fest in Los Angeles.
Competing in the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver-level meet, Gulveer finished second in the event but grabbed headlines after breaking the Indian outdoor national record in the 5000m race.
The Indian star clocked an impressive timing of 13 minutes and 03.93 seconds during the race.
Gulveer Singh sets new Indian outdoor 5000m national record
With his remarkable timing of 13:03.93, Gulveer bettered his own previous outdoor national record of 13:11.82.
The 27-year-old distance runner has now further cemented his place as one of India’s finest long-distance athletes currently competing on the global stage.
Interestingly, Gulveer’s latest timing also became the second-best performance of his career overall in the 5000m category.
His overall national record still remains the 12:59.77 timing he achieved during the Terrier DMR Challenge indoor competition in Boston last year.
However, Saturday’s performance in Los Angeles officially became the new Indian outdoor national record in the event.
The performance once again showcased Gulveer Singh’s rapid rise in international athletics and his growing consistency in elite middle and long-distance competitions.
Gulveer continues impressive rise in international athletics
Gulveer Singh has rapidly established himself as one of India’s most dominant and versatile long-distance runners in recent years. Training in Colorado Springs, USA, as part of India’s TOPS Core Group, Gulveer has become the first Indian distance athlete to hold national records across multiple events ranging from the 3000m on track to the gruelling 25km road race.
The 27-year-old currently owns India’s national records in the 3000m, 5000m and 10,000m events while also reigning as the Asian champion in both the 5000m and 10,000m categories.
Born in Sirsa village in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Gulveer’s journey to international athletics began in humble surroundings. A Naib Subedar in the Indian Army, he initially started running on village roads while preparing for Army recruitment before being spotted by the Army Sports Institute in Pune after joining the forces in 2018.
From a farmer’s son training in village fields to becoming the first Indian athlete to break the 60-minute barrier in a half marathon, Gulveer's rise has been built on consistency, discipline and relentless hard work.
His 2025 season proved to be a breakthrough campaign as he clinched double gold medals in the 5000m and 10,000m at the Asian Athletics Championships.
The momentum carried into 2026 as well. Gulveer Singh secured a podium finish at the Sound Running Invite in the USA before scripting history at the NYC Half Marathon by clocking 59:42 and becoming the first Indian runner to complete the race in under 60 minutes.
The performance also shattered Avinash Sable’s previous national record of 1:00:30.
Earlier this season, Gulveer also competed at the World Cross Country Championships and finished 40th in the senior men’s category as he continues to gain valuable experience across formats.
With major tournaments like the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games approaching, Gulveer remains one of India’s brightest medal hopes in long-distance athletics.
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