Meghalaya man’s dream run: from cowherd to marathon winner

Lyngkhoi is all set to compete in the London Marathon in May to ensure a berth in the Indian team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Last year, he won the 42.195-kilometre marathon in the 33rd National Games at Guwahati, timing 2.17.32 hours. It was a new national record. In 2006, he was adjudged the best in the Olympic Training Camp at Verbein, Switzerland, and won the Great Marathon on Earth at Nairobi.

There is one regret, though. Lyngkhoi, who hails from the remote Sakawang village under the Mawkyrwat sub-division in West Khasi Hills, says he did not get the opportunity to represent Meghalaya at the national level. “I would have loved to create a national record in the marathon representing my state but I was overlooked,” he says.

Lyngkhoi got a chance to represent Assam but he refused. Instead, he joined the Army Armoured Corp (AAC) after training from the Sports Authority of India, Shillong.