An Indian man has entered the Guinness World Records after running the greatest distance on a manual treadmill in 12 hours.
Sumit Singh is a runner from Odisha, eastern India, set the record by running an impressive 68.04 kilometres in 12 hours.
Singh said: "I was a member of the state team for race walking in class 9, but I had to withdraw from the team because of an injury. During COVID, I felt the urge to return to racing. I went to my coach for advice, and he suggested that I start by losing weight. Then he suggested Ultra Running. I've been training hard ever since.
"I've finished a 50-kilometres trail run in Mashobra, Shimla, a 6-hour satellite run, and many more challenges. It requires a lot of mental and physical energy. On 2022's Independence Day, I ran 75 miles to honour the nation's 75 years of independence. Starting on August 13 at 10 p.m and ending on August 14 at 6 am, I participated in the Ladakh Khardung as well.
"I wanted to raise awareness about ultra running, so I decided to register for the Guinness Book of Records. This year, on June 9, we'll be heading to South Africa for the Comrades Marathon, an 86 km, 12-hour marathon. Approximately 27,000 participants will be taking part, including 300 Indians. I hope that Ultra running receives the recognition it deserves."
Sumit Singh, an ultra-runner hailing from Odisha in eastern India, achieved a remarkable feat by running continuously on a manual treadmill for an impressive 12-hour duration, securing a Guinness World Record in the process.
The record was set in the Basanti Pathagar library premises, Rourkela on March 12.
Visuals showed Sumit running on the manual treadmill, with a few women seen clicking pictures with him while he was still running. After about 12 hours, he successfully completed the task.
Speaking to Newslions, Sumit said, "I was a member of the State team for race walking in class 9, but I had to withdraw from the team because of an injury. During COVID, I felt the urge to return to racing. I went to my coach for advice, and he suggested that I start by losing weight. Then he suggested Ultra Running. I've been training hard ever since. I've finished a 50-kilometer trail run in Mashobra, Shimla, a 6-hour satellite run, and many more challenges. It requires a lot of mental and physical energy. On 2022's Independence Day, I ran 75 miles to honor the nation's 75 years of independence. Starting on August 13 at 10 p.m. and ending on August 14 at 6 a.m., I participated in the Ladakh Khardung as well."
Talking about the Guinness record, he says, "I wanted to raise awareness about Ultra running, so I decided to register for the Guinness Book of Records. This year, on June 9, we'll be heading to South Africa for the Comrades Marathon, an 86 km, 12-hour marathon. Approximately 27,000 participants will be taking part, including 300 Indians. I hope that Ultra running receives the recognition it deserves."
Sumit also mentioned some rules set by the Guinness World Records. He was not allowed to touch the treadmill, or else 400 meters would be deducted from his total distance. Additionally, he could take a 5-minute break for every hour of running.
“The greatest distance run on a manual treadmill in 12 hours (male) is 68.04 km (42.27 mi) and was achieved by Sumit Kumar Singh (India) in Rourkela, Odisha, India, on March 12, 2024,” reads the certificate.
On March 12, Sumit began his remarkable journey towards setting a new record at 8:15 am and concluded it at 8:20 pm. During these 12 hours, he displayed immense determination and stamina by continuously running on a manual treadmill, ultimately covering an astounding distance of 68.04 kilometers. This accomplishment stands as a significant milestone in the world of sports, highlighting Sumit's exceptional endurance and dedication.
Sumit's incredible feat on March 12 adds to his already impressive track record of achievements. Prior to this, he achieved another remarkable milestone by completing an astonishing 33 full marathons within the span of just one month. This incredible feat took place from April 25 to May 24, 2023, at the Uditnagar Stadium. Throughout this month-long endeavor, Sumit covered an awe-inspiring total distance of 1392.6 kilometers, showcasing his extraordinary athleticism and perseverance.
Sumit's amazing achievements have been recognized by the International Book of Records, officially acknowledging him as the best in the world for completing the most full marathons in one month. His hard work and never-give-up attitude are inspiring for athletes and fans everywhere.
