Seasoned Army runner overcame injuries to gradually achieve good fitness to clock a 2::12:23, a personal best, last weekend in Spain
The gruelling marathon distance (42km and 195m) is the real test of strength, endurance and character!
Last weekend at the Spanish city of Valencia, India’s experienced Army’s distance runner, T Gopi stepped on the starting line to test himself. More importantly the quality field and conducive environment for distance runners were good reasons to write a new chapter in the history of Indian marathon running.
The 37 years old Rio Olympian came agonisingly close to breaking the 47 years old national marathon record of 2::12 set by late Shivnath Singh in 1978 in Jalandhar, Punjab.
Hit by cramps in the last 5km of the Valencia Marathon on Sunday (December 7), the Army runner from Wayanad in Kerala crossed the finish line at 2::12:23. “I was on track to break the national record, but suffered cramps after 36km,” Gopi told Sportsbackstory.com.
“Cramps slightly slowed me down.”
Gopi’s previous best of 2::13:39 was clocked in chilling local weather conditions at the 2019 Seoul Marathon.
In a quality field that saw Kenya’s John Korir win Valencia Marathon in 2::02:24, a personal best and eighth fastest time in the history of marathon, Gopi missed a golden chance to break the glass ceiling in in Indian marathon.
Man Singh (2::13.25) and AB Belliappa (2::14:07) were the other two Army runners in the field. Overall, it was a creditable performance at the Valencia Marathon by the Indian distance runners.
Battling injuries in the last two seasons and defying age, the 37 years old Olympian entered the Valencia marathon with a positive set of mind, covering the first 5km of the marathon race in 15 minutes 39 seconds.
He continued to cover the first half — 21km — of the race at a steady pace. He reached 21km at 1::05:29, suggesting he was well prepared to break the national record of 2::12.
At 35km his time was 1::49:38. Gopi’s split time for the second half (21km) was 1::07:06 and crossed the finish line at 2::12:23.
New beginning
From longer track races, Gopi shifted to marathon running in 2016. He along with two others (Kheta Ram and Nitendra Singh Rawat) competed in marathon race at the Rio Olympic Games.
Gopi finished a creditable 25th with a time of 2::15:25. He continued his good run and became the first Indian to win the Asian marathon title in 2017.
Olympic Games
His goal to qualify for the second Olympic Games hit a road block due to lack of exposure; sponsorship and injuries.
When the experts in the field ruled him out, the determined distance runner gradually made his way to the top. His personal best time of 2::12:23 at Valencia Marathon suggests he still has hunger in his belly.
He will be one to watch in the 2026 season!
ENDS
