Young distance runner Sawan Barwal made history by breaking a long-standing Indian athletics record on his marathon debut. Barwal achieved this feat by clocking a remarkable time of 2:11:58 at the NN Marathon Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The 28-year-old athlete surpassed the previous National Record of 2:12:00 set by Shivnath Singh in 1978.
Barwal’s marathon debut not only shattered a decades-old record but also marked a significant milestone in his career. Supported by the Reliance Foundation, he has now met the AFI qualification standard of 2:15:00 for the 2026 Asian Games. Running a steady pace over the challenging 42.195km distance, Barwal faced tough windy conditions in the final 5km of the race.
Sawan Barwal, among the four athletes who have surpassed the Asian Games marathon qualification time this year, faced a tough finish due to adverse weather conditions. Despite the challenges, he managed to secure his place as the fastest among the qualifiers. Following his record-breaking run, Barwal collapsed at the finish line and received immediate medical attention.
Experienced marathon runner Gopi T, also part of the race, finished 23rd with a time of 2:13:16. Gopi, an Asian champion, narrowly missed breaking the national record last year. The Rotterdam Marathon, where Barwal excelled, is a crucial event within the Project 2:09 initiative by the Reliance Foundation, aimed at enhancing Indian athletes’ performance through specialized training and strategic planning.
