India’s Marathon Quest: Record from 1978 Faces New Challenges

India’s marathon community is buzzing with anticipation as athletes inch closer to breaking a record that has stood for nearly five decades. The Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026 showcased strong performances from Indian elites, while international runners continued to push course records lower. Experts believe exposure to global races and better training infrastructure could finally help Indian athletes surpass Shivnath Singh’s legendary feat.

Key Highlights

• Historic Benchmark: Shivnath Singh’s 2:12:00 marathon in Jalandhar (1978) remains India’s national record.
• Near Miss: Olympian Gopi Thonakal ran 2:12:23 in Valencia (Dec 2025), just 23 seconds shy of the record.
• Mumbai Marathon 2026: Over 65,000 runners participated, with Indian elites Kartik Karkera and Anish Magar topping domestic charts.
• International Field: Eight men and six women entered with personal bests faster than Mumbai’s course records, raising competitive standards.
• Challenges: Limited international exposure and training support continue to hinder Indian marathoners’ progress.
• Outlook: Coaches and athletes remain optimistic that India’s next generation of runners will soon rewrite history.

Sources: Mint, Mid-Day, Tata Mumbai Marathon official updates