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Sawan Barwal Breaks India’s Long-Standing National Record at Rotterdam Marathon
Sawan Barwal ran 2:11:58 at the NN Marathon Rotterdam, finishing 20th and breaking India’s decades-old national record. The record stood since 1978, set by Shivnath Singh, and Barwal achieved it in his first marathon.
Why It Matters
The achievement marks a historic moment in Indian athletics history and signals rising competitiveness in Indian marathon running.
Timeline
2 Events
Sawan Barwal breaks India’s national marathon record at NN Marathon Rotterdam
April 21, 2026
Sawan Barwal finished 20th with a time of 2:11:58, breaking Shivnath Singh’s 1978 mark of 2:12:00 in his first marathon.
Shivnath Singh’s 1978 national record
1978
The previous Indian national athletics record was Shivnath Singh’s 2:12:00, set in 1978 and remaining India's longest-standing record.