Shivnath Singh (July 11, 1946 – June 6, 2003) was one of the greatest long-distance runners that India has produced. Singh represented India twice in the Asian games and twice at the Summer Olympics (1976 and 1980). He was born in Majharia, Buxar, Bihar in India. He joined the Indian Army in the Bihar Regiment and rose to the rank of Naib Subedar. He died on 6 June 2003 at Jamshedpur, India after a prolonged illness. He still holds India's national record for the marathon which he set in 1978. It is the longest standing Indian athletics record.
Career He represented India at the 1976 Summer Olympics and placed 11th in the 1976 Olympic Men's Marathon. He dropped out of the 1980 Olympic Men's Marathon in Moscow.
Shivnath Singh competed barefoot throughout his running career. He holds the Indian national marathon record with a best time (2:12:00), a feat that he achieved in Jalandhar in 1978.
Achievements Representing 1973Asian ChampionshipMarikina, Philippines5000 m14:17.010000 m29:54.81975Asian ChampionshipSeoul, South Korea5000 m14:01.210000 m29:14.61976Olympic GamesMontréal, Canada11thMarathon2:16:221978Jalandhar MarathonJalandhar, India NRMarathon2:12:001980Olympic Games Moscow, Soviet Union—MarathonDNF
References
External links
Olympic results for India including Shivnath Singh in the listings Singh's obituary at Times of India Singh's obituary at Rediff India Abroad sports-reference
Singh's obituary at Sunday Times of India, 8 June 2003