Gulveer Singh is not just a name; he’s a phenomenon—a relentless force in Indian athletics who has redefined the boundaries of long-distance running. On March 29, 2025, at The Ten 2025 athletics meet in San Juan Capistrano, California, this 26-year-old dynamo shattered his own men’s 10,000m national record, clocking an astonishing 27:00.22s. Finishing sixth in a fiercely competitive field, he shaved 14.66 seconds off his previous best, inching tantalizingly close—just 0.22 seconds— to the World Athletics Championships qualification mark. From the dusty tracks of Uttar Pradesh to the global stage, Gulveer’s journey is a saga of grit, triumph, and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. Here’s the story of a man who runs not just against time, but against history itself.
Early Life: A Spark Ignites in Uttar Pradesh
Born in 1998 in a modest village in Uttar Pradesh, India, Gulveer Singh grew up in a world far removed from the glitz of international athletics. His early years were shaped by simplicity and struggle—his father, a farmer, and his mother, a homemaker, worked tirelessly to provide for their family. Yet, amidst the fields and rural lanes, a young Gulveer discovered his gift: speed. As a child, he’d race barefoot across the village, outpacing friends and leaving onlookers in awe. It wasn’t long before his raw talent caught the eye of local coaches, who saw in him the makings of a champion.
Gulveer’s formal introduction to athletics came during his school years, where he dominated local meets. His lanky frame and boundless energy made him a natural for distance running, but it was his steely determination that set him apart. Encouraged by his family and early mentors, he joined the Indian Army—a move that would provide not just stability but a platform to hone his craft. As a Naib Subedar, Gulveer found discipline and purpose, channeling his energy into a sport that would soon carry his name across borders.
The Making of a Runner: Training Under a Legend
Gulveer’s ascent in athletics owes much to one man: Surendra Singh, a former national record holder in the 10,000m and his coach. Surendra’s mark of 28:02.89, set in 2008, stood unchallenged for 16 years—until Gulveer came along. Under Surendra’s guidance at the Army Sports Institute, Gulveer transformed from a promising talent into a record-breaking machine. The coach-athlete bond was more than professional; it was personal. Surendra saw in Gulveer a reflection of his own dreams, while Gulveer revered the man whose legacy he’d one day surpass.
Training was grueling—high-altitude camps in Colorado Springs, endless laps under the Indian sun, and a regimen that tested his physical and mental limits. Yet, Gulveer thrived. His ability to push through pain, coupled with a scientific approach to nutrition and recovery, turned him into a lean, mean running machine. By 2022, he was ready to announce himself to the world.
Breaking Barriers: A Meteoric Rise
Gulveer’s senior-level breakthrough came in April 2022 at the National Federation Cup in Thenhipalam, where he clinched a bronze in the 10,000m—his first taste of national glory. Later that year, he topped the podium at the National Games, signaling his arrival as a serious contender. But 2023 was when Gulveer truly exploded onto the scene. At the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok, he bagged a bronze in the 5,000m, clocking 13:48.33. Then, at the Hangzhou Asian Games, he secured another bronze in the 10,000m with a personal best of 28:17.21—a performance that hinted at the greatness to come.
The turning point arrived on March 16, 2024, at The Ten 2024 athletics meet in California. Gulveer ran a blistering 27:41.81, finishing second and shattering Surendra Singh’s 16-year-old national record by over 20 seconds. It was a moment of poetic justice—student eclipsing master. Yet, the time fell short of the Paris Olympics qualifying standard of 27:00.00, fueling Gulveer’s hunger for more.
A Record-Breaking 2024: Conquering New Heights
The 2024 season saw Gulveer in unstoppable form. In September, at Japan’s Yogibo Athletics Challenge Cup, he smashed the national 5,000m record with a time of 13:11.82, wresting it from steeplechase star Avinash Sable. Then, in November, at the Hachioji Long Distance meet, he bettered his own 10,000m record, clocking 27:14.88—a 26-second improvement over his Asian Games time. Each race showcased his evolution: stronger starts, smarter pacing, and a finishing kick that left competitors gasping.
But Gulveer wasn’t done. In early 2025, he turned his sights to indoor events. At the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational, he set a new national record in the 3,000m indoor race with 7:38.26, outpacing Surendra’s old mark by 11 seconds. A week later, at the Terrier DMR Challenge, he made history again—clocking 12:59.77 in the 5,000m short track, becoming the first Asian man to break the 13-minute barrier and securing a spot at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The Ten 2025: A Near-Perfect Triumph
March 29, 2025, was the day Gulveer Singh cemented his legend. At The Ten 2025 in San Juan Capistrano, he delivered a jaw-dropping performance, finishing the 10,000m in 27:00.22s. Sixth place might not sound like a victory, but the numbers told a different story: a 14.66-second improvement on his Hachioji record, a new national benchmark, and a time that placed him third among Asia’s all-time 10,000m runners, behind only Qatar’s Ahmad Hassan Abdullah and Nicholas Kemboi. The race, won by Ishmael Kipkurui in 26:50.21, saw all top five finishers dip under 27 minutes—a testament to its elite field.
Agonizingly, Gulveer missed the World Athletics Championships automatic qualifying standard of 27:00.00 by a mere 0.22 seconds—a heartbeat in a 10,000m race. Yet, his time crushed the Asian Athletics Championships entry standard of 29:33.26, positioning him as a frontrunner for the 2025 event in Gumi, South Korea. For Gulveer, it was bittersweet—another record in the bag, but the global stage remained just out of reach.
Beyond the Track: The Man Behind the Medals
Off the track, Gulveer is a study in contrasts. Soft-spoken and humble, he carries the quiet confidence of a soldier. His life in the Indian Army has instilled a sense of duty that extends beyond running—he often speaks of inspiring youth from rural India to chase their dreams. Based in Colorado Springs for training under foreign coach Scott Simmons, he’s adapted to life abroad, but his heart remains tied to his village, where he hopes to build a sports academy someday.
Gulveer’s personal life is closely guarded, though he credits his family’s unwavering support for his success. An avid reader, he draws motivation from tales of resilience—both in sports and history. His downtime is spent with yoga and meditation, tools he uses to sharpen his mental edge. “Running is 70% mind,” he once told a reporter, a mantra that’s carried him through setbacks like the 2024 Asian Indoor Championships, where a lane infringement cost him a 3,000m gold.
Legacy in Motion: The Road Ahead
At 26, Gulveer Singh is at the peak of his powers, yet his story feels like it’s just beginning. His trophy cabinet boasts Asian Games and Championships medals, national records in the 3,000m, 5,000m, and 10,000m, and an Asian record in the 5,000m short track. But the Olympics—a dream deferred in 2024—loom large. With the 2028 Los Angeles Games on the horizon, Gulveer is laser-focused on breaching that elusive 27:00.00 mark consistently.
His impact transcends personal glory. In a nation where cricket reigns supreme, Gulveer is part of a new wave of athletes—alongside Neeraj Chopra and Avinash Sable—elevating India’s profile in track and field. His records are not just numbers; they’re beacons for the next generation, proving that with grit and guidance, an Indian runner can rival the world’s best.
Gulveer Singh runs with the wind, but he’s chasing history. Each stride is a statement, each record a milestone in a journey that’s rewriting India’s athletic narrative. From Uttar Pradesh to California, he’s not just breaking records—he’s breaking barriers, one breathtaking race at a time.