Indian long-distance runner Sawan Barwal has scripted history by breaking one of the oldest records in Indian athletics during a sensational performance at the Rotterdam Marathon 2026.
The 28-year-old clocked an impressive time of 2:11:58 in his marathon debut, surpassing the long-standing national record of 2:12:00 set by legendary runner Shivnath Singh in 1978.
Despite the historic achievement, Barwal admitted he was not fully satisfied after the race because he had entered the event with a more ambitious target in mind.
According to Barwal, his goal was to finish close to the 2:10 mark rather than simply chase the national record. He revealed that he initially felt disappointed after crossing the finish line before realising the magnitude of his accomplishment.
Competing in a world-class field in Rotterdam, Barwal finished 20th overall and emerged as the fastest Indian runner in the race.
The achievement becomes even more remarkable considering it was Barwal’s first official marathon appearance. Until recently, the Himachal Pradesh athlete had primarily focused on 5,000m and 10,000m races before shifting to marathon running.
Barwal credited his transition to marathon events to guidance from coaches and mentors within the Indian Army setup, where he serves as a Havaldar.
Reports suggest difficult weather conditions in Rotterdam made the final stages of the race extremely challenging, with strong winds and exhaustion testing runners over the closing kilometres.
The historic run has also boosted India’s hopes in long-distance athletics ahead of upcoming international events, including the Asian Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Barwal’s breakthrough performance is now being viewed as a major milestone for Indian athletics, ending a national record that had stood untouched for nearly five decades.
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