India’s Avinash Sable broke a 30-year-old record of Bahadur Prasad in 5000m, setting a new national record with a timing of 13-25.65 at the Sound Running Track meet in San Juan Capistrano, USA.

The 27-year-old from Maharashtra broke the old record of 13-29.70 set by Bahadur Prasad in 1992.

Although Sable finished only 12th in his race in San Juan, that was won by 1500m Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, it was a remarkable performance for someone who was competing in only his second competitive race over the distance. He had previously run the 5000m at the Federation Cup in Kozhikode where he had finished with a time of 13.39.43. 

Sable’s national record in the 5000m also makes him the only Indian currently to hold a national record in three separate disciplines. Sable also holds the national record in the half marathon as well as his primary event, the men’s 3000m steeplechase.