Indian Distance Running Gets a Boost as Olympic Medal Hunt Begins

Indian distance running emerged as one of the major success stories of the 2026 Asian Games, with Gulveer Singh, Sawan Barwal and Seema Kumari all winning medals in Nagoya.

Gulveer led the campaign with three medals in five days. He won silver in the 10,000m and 1,500m and bronze in the 5,000m. Sawan Barwal added a silver in the marathon with a national-record time of 2:11:37, ending India’s 44-year wait for an Asian Games marathon medal. Seema Kumari won bronze in the women’s 10,000m.

The performances came across distances ranging from the 1,500m to the 42.195km marathon, but the athletes shared an important connection: they trained under American coach Scott Simmons at a high-altitude base in Colorado Springs.

Consistency Behind the Results

Simmons, who began working with Indian distance runners in 2022, described Indian athletics as a “sleeping giant” that needed sustained support and the right training environment.

According to Simmons, programmes including the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), the ACTC programme and support from the Athletics Federation of India helped athletes maintain longer training cycles rather than preparing for competitions through short-term bursts.

Gulveer, in particular, spent six continuous months training in the United States before the Asian Games. Simmons believes this consistency helped him build the endurance required for multiple events.

Gulveer’s three medals followed his 2022 Asian Games bronze in the 10,000m and two medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Marathon Success Adds Another Dimension

Barwal’s marathon silver provided another significant milestone. His 2:11:37 performance improved his own national record and gave India its first Asian Games marathon medal in 44 years.

Seema’s bronze also marked India’s first Asian Games medal in the women’s 10,000m since 2010.

The results have strengthened the focus on developing a larger training group rather than relying on individual athletes. Simmons has also called for younger Indian runners to enter the long-distance programme early so they can develop over several years.

Looking Towards LA 2028

With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics approaching, qualification remains a major challenge. Simmons said the athletes now believe Olympic qualification is achievable, while acknowledging that the standards are increasingly demanding.

The Asian Games results have therefore provided a significant benchmark for India’s distance-running programme. The focus now shifts from maintaining the momentum in Nagoya to building the consistency required for the Olympic qualification cycle.

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