An upcoming long distance runner, Pritam Kumar began participating in athletics in 2017 with the goal of joining the army but soon transitioned into competitive running. He trained under renowned coaches and achieved national level success, qualifying for the 2023 Asian Games. With personal bests of 29:16 in the 10,000m and 14:04 in the 5,000m, he continues to train for the Asian Championships.

The Initiation

Pritam Kumar started with athletics in 2017 in his hometown in Hathras district, where he focused on running with the aim of joining the army or securing a government job. After moving to Delhi, he trained for three years under Avdesh Nagar, an international medalist. He later shifted to Nehru Stadium to further his training under the guidance of coach Rakesh.

Gurus & Role Models

Pritam trains at Nehru Stadium in Delhi under the guidance of coach Rakesh Yadav. His coach teaches him that to excel in athletics, consistent practice on the ground is vital, emphasizing that success requires both dedication and sacrifice. Pritam's training group consists of national medalists, creating a highly competitive environment. He is inspired by many individuals, including Mukesh, Arvind, Avdesh Nagar, and Kuldeep, who have provided immense support and encouragement throughout his journey. Additionally, Pritam looks up to Gulveer Singh, an Asian medalist and national record holder, as well as Kartik Kumar, another accomplished Asian medalist.

The Talent

Pritam explains that when an athlete begins training under a coach, the coach evaluates their running technique, speed, endurance, and strength to determine the best-suited athletic event for them. If the athlete has strong muscles, they may excel in sprints or races up to 1500 meters. For long-distance running, however, endurance and mindset are crucial. Pritam adds that the coach instills a vital lesson: no matter the circumstances, the athlete must always finish the race, regardless of the result.

Achievements

Pritam is a national medalist who qualified for the 2023 Asian Games. Recently, he joined Northern Railway while continuing to train for long-distance events, focusing on the 5000m and 10000m races for the Asian Championship. His personal bests are 29 minutes 16 seconds for the 10000 m and 14 minutes 04 seconds for the 5000m. Starting with state-level competitions, he won a bronze medal and later secured three medals at the national level in cross-country events. He went on to claim gold in both the 5000m and 10000m races at the Delhi State Championship. Pritam also achieved his personal best timing in the Federation Cup and trained at the India Camp for three months. Earlier, during his school years, he earned numerous medals in long and triple jump. In 2017, he participated in the BSF half-marathon and later took home gold medals in various marathons, including those held in Noida and Gurugram. He also won a bronze medal in the Hinsa marathon in Faridabad and secured first place in a 10m race in Surat that same year. From 2021 to 2023, Pritam dominated the Delhi State competitions, winning nearly all available medals, including a victory in the 10000 m senior category with a time of 29 minutes 16 seconds.

A Bit More

Pritam was first inspired by his father, who participated in long jump and triple jump events in their village. He practiced alongside his father and developed the habit of waking up early for morning runs. Later, his cousin Arvind, who served in the Navy, encouraged him to take part in marathons. After running in a half-marathon in Delhi, Pritam realized he needed to work much harder to improve, which prompted him to move to Delhi for better training opportunities. Currently, Pritam is pursuing his graduation from Chandigarh University while focusing on preparing for the upcoming Asian Championships and the Olympics. His coach's words and guidance constantly motivate him to push himself and aim for medals. Pritam believes that sports not only promote fitness but also offer various career opportunities. However, he cautions that while it might be easy to enter the world of sports, staying in it requires hard work, consistency, and sacrifices. He advises athletes to respect their seniors, support their juniors, and always follow their coach’s guidance to succeed. Pritam also encourages everyone to remain consistent, work hard, and help each other, as progress is best achieved together.