Indian long-distance runner Sawan Barwal clocked 2:11:58 at the NN Marathon Rotterdam on Sunday to break the 48-year-old national marathon record held by Shivnath Singh since 1978. The 28-year-old army havildar from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, finished 20th despite tough windy conditions.
Army havildar Sawan Barwal scripted history at the NN Marathon Rotterdam, a World Athletics Gold Label race, clocking 2 hours 11 minutes and 58 seconds to erase Shivnath Singh's 2:12:00 record from 1978. Finishing 20th in the elite field, Barwal made his marathon debut on April 12.
The 28-year-old from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, battled harsh conditions. A cold breeze in the final 2km froze his head after he poured water to cool down. "In the last 2 km, my head felt like it was frozen... I fell twice with just 20 metres to go," Barwal told The Indian Express.
Ethiopia's Guye Idemo Adola won in 2:03:54, with compatriot T Gopi finishing 23rd at 2:13:16. Barwal, part of Reliance Foundation's Project 2:09, qualified for this year's Asian Games. Coach Ajith Markose noted, "He was on pace for 2:09:14 till 40km, but wind slowed him."
Son of a car driver and posted in Dehradun but attached to Army Sports Institute Pune, Barwal gained confidence. "The mental block of 2:12:00 is gone, and it will inspire other Indian marathoners," he said.
