Indian long-distance runner Sawan Barwal, in his debut marathon, smashed the country’s 48-year-old marathon record by two seconds at the N N Marathon Rotterdam, held on April 12, 2025.

Sawan, a half-marathon champion, finished the marathon in two hours, 11 minutes and 58 seconds, beating Shivnath Singh’s national record of 2:12 set way back in 1978, media reports said.

He finished in the 20^th position in the elite race at N N Marathon Rotterdam, its website showed.

Photo downloaded from Athletic Federation of India Facebook page

The 28-year-old runner from Indian Army is an athlete well-known for his competence in 5,000 metres, 10,000 metres and half marathon races.

At the Rotterdam race, his army compatriot Gopi Thonakal finished in 2:13:16 in 23^rd position.