Rajpaul Pannu
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | February 22, 1991 Lancaster, California, U.S.[1] |
| Education | Saint Mary’s College of California (B.A., Political Science)[2] |
| Occupation | High-school mathematics teacher[3] |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Ultramarathon, long-distance running |
| Club | Hoka Aggies Running Club |
| Team | United States (ultrarunning) |
Rajpaul Singh Pannu is an American athlete.
Early life and education
Rajpaul Singh Pannu was born in Lancaster and raised in Hercules in the San Francisco Bay Area.[2] A first-generation Indian-American, he was raised by his mother after his father died of heart disease when Pannu was three.[4]
Overweight through much of his childhood—peaking near ≈194 lb (88 kg)—he took up running to improve his health and eventually joined the cross-country team at Hercules High School, finishing 17th at the California state meet his senior year.[2] His improvement earned him a transfer from Diablo Valley College to Saint Mary’s College of California, where he twice made the All-West Coast Conference first team and rewrote several school records before graduating in 2014.[2]
Teaching career
After college Pannu taught geometry and precalculus at Impact Academy of the Arts & Technology in Hayward, California,[4] then joined Colorado High School Charter–GES in Denver, where he continues to teach mathematics while racing professionally.[3] He frequently speaks about using endurance sport to model perseverance and wellness for students.
Running career
Marathon beginnings (2017–2020)
Pannu debuted at the California International Marathon (CIM) on 3 December 2017, running 2 h 17 m 06 s and placing 19th overall— under the 2 h 19 m U.S. Olympic Trials standard.[2] At the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta he finished 63rd in 2 h 20 m 55 s.[5][1]
Move to ultradistance (2021)
On 23 January 2021 Pannu finished second (6 h 28 m 31 s) at Project Carbon X2, becoming the third-fastest American ever for 100 km on his debut at the distance.[6][7]
National champion (2021)
Eight months later he claimed the USATF 100 km Road National Championship at the Noʼtoʼmom 100 km in Sacramento, clocking 6 h 57 m 32 s.[8]
Course records and trail success (2023–2024)
- Javelina Jundred 100 km (2023) — course record 7 h 15 m 53 s.[9]
- Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 100 km (2024) — overall win in 9 h 19 m 35 s.[10]
2025 disqualification
On 15 February 2025 Pannu crossed the line first at the USATF 100-Mile Road Championships (Jackpot Ultra) in 11 h 52 m 46 s, but was later disqualified for wearing a prototype Hoka Skyward X whose 48 mm heel stack exceeded World Athletics’ 40 mm limit.[11] Subsequent reports confirmed Cody Poskin as national champion.[12]
Training philosophy
Pannu typically logs 100–120 mi (160–190 km) per week, fitting runs around his full-time teaching schedule—often before dawn or after evening classes. He credits meditation, strength work, and a focus on consistent pacing for his success at extreme distances.[2][11]
Personal life
Based in Denver during the school year and the Bay Area in summer, Pannu mentors student-athletes and advocates for expanded physical-activity curricula in under-resourced schools.[3]
Major competitive results
| Year | Event | Distance | Time | Place/Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | California International Marathon | Marathon | 2:17:06 | 19th overall – OTQ[2] |
| 2020 | U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials | Marathon | 2:20:55 | 63rd[5] |
| 2021 | Project Carbon X2 | 100 km | 6:28:31 | 2nd – #3 U.S. all-time[6] |
| 2021 | USATF 100 km Road Championships | 100 km | 6:57:32 | 1st – National title[8] |
| 2023 | Javelina Jundred | 100 km | 7:15:53 | 1st – Course record[9] |
| 2024 | Desert RATS Trail Festival | 100 km | 9:19:35 | 1st overall[10] |
| 2025 | USATF 100-Mile Road Championships* | 100 mi | 11:52:46 | DSQ – shoe infraction[11] |
*Result annulled under USATF Rule 143-3(i) for non-compliant footwear.
References
- ^ a b "Rajpaul Pannu — Profile". World Athletics. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dutch, Taylor (June 4, 2019). "How This California Teacher Went From an Eight-Minute Miler to a Trials Qualifier". Runner’s World. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Mr. Rajpaul Pannu — Math Teacher". Colorado High School Charter. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b "Rajpaul Pannu — Athlete Bio". Atlanta 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b "2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials — Official Results". FloTrack. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b "Pannu Finishes 2nd at Hoka Project Carbon X2 100K". Saint Mary’s College Athletics. January 23, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Project Carbon X2 — 100 km Results". UltraSignup. January 23, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b "Northern and Pannu Win USATF 100K Road Championships". Trail Runner. October 3, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b "Javelina Jundred 100 km Top Times". UltraRunning Magazine. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b "2024 Desert RATS 100 km Results". UltraRunning Magazine. April 13, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c Kahler, Theo (February 21, 2025). "He Was Disqualified for Wearing "Illegal" Running Shoes. But Did They Give Him an Advantage?". Runner’s World. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Rajpaul Pannu Disqualified From USATF 100-Mile Championship Over Illegal Shoes". Marathon Handbook. February 20, 2025. Retrieved May 1, 2025.