Indian long-distance runner Parul Chaudhary delivered another milestone performance on the international stage by breaking her own women’s 5000m national record at the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meeting in Nice, France.
The 31-year-old crossed the finish line in 15:04.26, finishing second in a highly competitive field and improving her previous national record of 15:10.35, which she had set in 2023. The latest effort trimmed more than six seconds off her own mark, underlining her steady progress among Asia’s leading distance runners.
Ethiopia’s Seniya Bereka won the race in 15:03.85, narrowly edging Parul in a thrilling finish, while the Indian athlete’s timing became the highlight from an Indian perspective. The performance also placed Parul among the fastest Asian women over the distance this season.
Although she narrowly missed the Commonwealth Games qualifying standard of 14:56.60 in the 5000m, the result is an encouraging start to her season in the event. Earlier this year, Parul had already secured qualification for the Commonwealth Games in the 3000m steeplechase after clocking 9:12.84 at the Shanghai Diamond League, comfortably better than the qualifying mark of 9:27.41.
Parul has established herself as one of India’s most dependable middle and long-distance athletes over the last few years. She enjoyed a memorable 2023 Asian Games campaign by winning gold in the women’s 5000m and silver in the 3000m steeplechase, before going on to represent India at the Paris Olympics. Her ability to compete successfully in both events has made her a key figure in Indian athletics.
With the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games on the horizon, Parul has indicated that the steeplechase will remain her priority event, while she also aims to compete in the 5000m at the continental level. Her latest national record is another indication that she is peaking at the right time.
Breaking a national record once is an achievement; improving it again reflects consistency, determination and continuous evolution. As Indian athletics continues to make its mark globally, Parul Chaudhary’s latest feat adds another proud chapter to the country’s growing success in distance running.
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