Gulveer Singh sets 5000m indoor national record, becomes first Indian to break 13-minute mark

Hangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist Gulveer Singh broke the national record and became the first Indian to break the 13-minute barrier in the men’s 5000m indoor race at the BU Terrier DMR Challenge in Boston.

The 26-year-old Army runner, who already held the national record in 5000m, clocked 12:59.77, finishing fourth in the event behind Cole Hocker (12:57.82), Cooper Teare (12:57.97), and Jack Rayner (12:59.43).

The Indian performance not only set a new national record but also established a new Asian 5000m short track record.

Gulveer’s run saw him surpassing the World Athletics Championships qualifying standard of 13:01.00s.

Last week, Gulveer broke yet other record, this time in the men’s 3000m indoor event where he shattered a 16-year-old national record.

He clocked 7:38.26s, finishing second in the event and surpassing the previous Indian record of 7:49.47 set by Surendar Singh in 2008.