Mumbai, February 16: Hangzhou Asian Games bronze medalist Gulveer Singh made a strong start to his season, shattering a 16-year-old national record in the men's 3000m indoor race at the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston. The 26-year-old Army runner clocked 7:38.26, finishing second in the event and surpassing the previous Indian record of 7:49.47 set by Surendar Singh in 2008. Gulveer Singh Sets Men's 5000 M National Record to Win Gold Medal in Champions Cup 2024 With 13:11.82 Time.

Surendar now serves as a coach. Buoyed by his impressive performance, Gulveer has now set his sights on securing automatic qualification for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in the men's 10,000m, where the entry mark is 27:00.00.

"I'm elated to have clocked a good time in my season's first Indoor race in Boston. Good performance over 3000m (Indoor) has given a big boost to my confidence. I should be able to do better during upcoming outdoor races.” stated Gulveer, who won bronze in the 10,000m at the Asian Games, in an AFI release.

In 2023, Gulveer set new national marks in both the 5,000m (13:11.82) and 10,000m (27:14.88) outdoor events. His personal best and national record over 10,000m outdoor track race is 27:14.88, while his personal best 5,000m time is 13:11.82. Gulveer Singh Breaks Avinash Sable’s 5000m National Record in Portland Track Festival 2024.

Meanwhile, India's Rahul also competed in the 3000m indoor race, clocking 7:55.00, while Kartik Kumar finished the men's 5000m indoor event in 14:04.67. A core group of Indian middle and long distance runners is currently training at high altitude in Colorado Springs, USA, under foreign coach Scott Simmons, as they prepare for the upcoming Asian and World Athletics Championships.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)