Sawan Barwal Shatters 47-Year-Old National Marathon Record in Dramatic Rotterdam Finish
In a stunning display of resilience and determination, Indian Army soldier Sawan Barwal made history at the NN Marathon in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Sunday. The 28-year-old from Himachal Pradesh, competing in his marathon debut, broke a 47-year-old national record with a time of 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 58 seconds.
A Thrilling and Challenging Race to the Finish Line
The race took a dramatic turn in the final stretch when Barwal fell twice in quick succession, just about 150 meters from the finish line. Battling strong cold winds, he struggled to regain his footing until a volunteer stepped in to assist him. Using the last ounces of energy in his body, Barwal pushed through to cross the line, eclipsing the previous record of 2:12:00 set by Shivanath Singh on May 28, 1978, in Jalandhar.
Reflecting on his performance, Barwal said, "Today's marathon was a memorable experience. I felt strong and in control until around 40 km, progressing at a 2:09 pace, but the last 2 km didn't go as planned. I even fell twice before the finish line due to strong cold wind, but I'm proud that I kept getting up and finished the race."
Barwal's Achievements and Gratitude for Support
Barwal, who also holds the national half marathon record of 1:02 set in New Delhi in 2024, expressed immense joy at breaking the long-standing record. "I'm extremely happy to have broken the 47-year-old national record, even if it's by a small margin. That means a lot to me," he stated.
He extended special thanks to the volunteer who helped him near the finish line and acknowledged the support from his team. "A special thanks to the volunteer near the finish line who helped me get back up and continue, truly grateful for that support. I would like to thank the entire team at Reliance Foundation, AFI, ASI, MRC and my training partners Gopi Thonakal and Man Singh for their constant support," Barwal added.
Other Indian Performances and Race Winner
While Barwal finished in 20th place overall, his fellow Indian competitor Gopi Thonakal clocked a time of 2:13:16 to secure the 23rd spot. The race was won by Ethiopia's Guye Adola, who completed the marathon in an impressive 2:03:54.
This historic achievement marks a significant milestone in Indian athletics, showcasing the grit and perseverance of Sawan Barwal as he overcomes adversity to set a new national standard in marathon running.
