AB Belliappa, the 32-year-old international distance runner from the Indian Army, is set to compete in the 2024 Valencia Marathon on December 1, aiming to break the long-standing national marathon record of 2:12:00 set by the legendary Shivnath Singh in 1978. To achieve this ambitious goal, Belliappa has received crucial support from well-wishers and army veterans, particularly Major General Arjun Muthanna (retd), who has raised funds to help finance his participation in elite marathon races.
Belliappa, who hails from Coorg, Karnataka, has a personal best of 2:14:26, which he achieved at the Vienna Marathon earlier this year. Although he believes he could have performed better in Vienna, the setback of losing his luggage — including his running kit and shoes — before the race, left him racing without his usual gear. Despite this, he crossed the finish line feeling unexhausted, which only fueled his belief that he is capable of even greater performance.
This marks the third time in two years that the Kodagu Educational and Social Service Trust, a group of Belliappa’s well-wishers from Coorg, has stepped forward to financially support the army runner. Major General Muthanna and his team have worked diligently to raise funds for Belliappa’s international marathon ambitions. "Belliappa's coach reached out to us for assistance, and we verified the details before deciding to support him," said Muthanna. "We know how much his performance in elite marathons in Europe will help him gain valuable experience and improve his chances of achieving his goals."
Belliappa’s coach, KC Ramu, believes that a solid performance in Valencia will not only bring him closer to breaking the national record but also enhance his chances of qualifying for the marathon event at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. "Consistently strong performances in marathons will improve his world ranking, which is critical for qualifying for major global competitions like the World Championships," Ramu stated.
Training at Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Belliappa is part of a group of distance runners that pushes each other to new limits. Despite the challenges he has faced, including the loss of his luggage during the Vienna marathon, his determination remains unwavering. With the financial backing from his supporters and his relentless commitment, Belliappa is primed to make a significant impact at the Valencia Marathon, hoping to break barriers and set a new benchmark in Indian marathon running.
This race not only represents an opportunity to break a long-standing national record but also serves as a stepping stone for Belliappa to qualify for global events like the World Championships, further raising the profile of distance running in India. With continued support from his fellow veterans and well-wishers, Belliappa remains focused on his ultimate goal of becoming one of India's top marathon runners on the world stage.
