Kolkata, Dec 14: No quarters given and none will be asked for when the elite distance runners cluster together at the starting line of the world’s only Gold Label road race at this distance making Tata Steel World 25K, Kolkata, one of most anticipated and hottest contest to be televised live on Sony 5 HD on Sunday December 15.
Procam International, one of the few promoters in the world, has now to its credit four Gold label races- Tata Mumbai Marathon, Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, Tata Consultancy Services World 10k and Tata Steel World 25k Kolkata 2024.
Labelled as the only World Athletics Accredited 25K, the prize money of USD 142,214 will be wwitnessed20,000 + participants from around the world.
Daniel Ebenyo holds the current event record in the Men’s category, 1:11:13, and Sutume Kebede holds the Women’s record, 1:18:47.
Ethiopian Sutume Kebede, who changed her coach and recovered from a prolonged stomach problem to go on to win the last edition of the Tokyo Marathon, said, “I had time to prepare for this event. I am confident that I will be able to defend my championship.”
Asked who could be a tough competition, she said, “The women’s field is very strong. Everyone is very good. So, it will be strong competition.”
Indeed, she will have compatriot Degity Azimeraw for company who in her relatively brief but hugely exciting career has shown her credentials as a future star. In her first overseas race, she revealed her outstanding potential by sprinting to success in the 2017 Tata Steel Kolkata 25km in 1:26:01.The following year she set a world U20 half marathon record when blitzing to 66:47 for sixth in her 21.1km debut at the RAK Half Marathon. In more recent times, Azimeraw came in eighth at the 2022 Boston Marathon with a time of 2:25:23, something she would like to change here.
Daniel Ebenyo is not only the defending champion here but a bonafide track and road racer. Talking to the media he said, “I will try for a course record here. The weather is good, the course is very friendly.”
Ebenyo is coming on the back of winning the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. The first marathon for him was Chicago where he finished fifth. Talking about it, he said, “I came fifth. My coach was not happy. He asked me to continue to be focused and needed time to recover as Chicago was tough. But now I am fit and I know I can do better. I have unfinished business on track. A gold has eluded me and that is what I am looking at in the Tokyo World Championship. This race will help me.”
Also participating in the race is Benson Kipruto, a veteran of 16 marathons and Bronze medal winner in the Paris Olympics and winner at the Tokyo Marathon. Talking about his participation here, he said, “I have come prepared for the race. I want this to set off the next year. I will try and challenge for the winner’s spot ”
On the Indian front, it will be a three-way duel to the finish line with Sawan Barwal, Gulveer Singh and Abhishek Pal all promising a hard-fought battle to breast the tape at the finish line at TSW 25K Kolkata.
Avinash Sable holds the current event record in the Indian Elite Men’s category, with a time of 1:15:17, and L. Suriya holds the Indian Elite Women’s record, with a time of 1:26:53.
“I had changes in my workout and I also focused on it. I did not have much practice, but my fitness was well and good. I have my focus on TSW 25K and I will try my very best. I will do my best to break the course record this time,” said Sawan Barwal, defending champion TSW 25K.
Gulveer Singh, a double national record creator, said, “I have prepared for this race. This race will give me a chance to assess my strengths at this distance and also help me prepare for next year. I have worked very hard for the last two years and I want to do well in this event. I will surely challenge for a podium finish in this race.”
“I want to be back in my prime here. The ones who are consistent make it in the long run. I am practising and injury-free now. I will vie for a podium finish that is for sure.” said Abhishek Pal, TSK 25K 2022 winner.
“Whatever prize money I get from doing the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, it is of great help to ensure the right nutrition, apparel and shoes for running. That is an additional boost behind working so hard to win this race. I will try to defend this title,” said Sanjeevani Jadhav, TCS World 10K, Bengaluru, 2024 winner.
Meanwhile, a Local girl from Tribeni Lili Das has hogged quite the attention. “I am very focused. I have trained for this event. This event will boost me for the Asian and World Athletic Championship next year,” said the Junior Asian Championship winner in 800 and 1500 months
“I am very proud to run for the first time in Kolkata. I hope the people will cheer for me along the road. I promise to give my best,” said Lili.
The 25km Elite race will be flagged off by Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal C V Ananda Bose, West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose, Debasish Kumar, MLA, MMIC, KMC; Lt Gen R C Tiwari, GOC Eastern Command; Adille Sumariwala, President, Indian Athletics; Rajesh Sinha, Principal Secretary, West Bengal Government; Maj. Gen. Rajesh Arun Moghex, GOC Bengal Sub-Area; Brig. A K Das, Dy. GOC, Bengal Sub-Area; Chandan Roy Chaudhary, Bengal Olympic Association Naarayan TV, COO, IDFC FIRST Bank.
Lt. Gen. R C Srikanth, Chief of Staff, Indian Army, will flag off the Open 10 K & Police Cup.
TSW 25K Kolkata 2024 Ratna, Koushani Mukherjee will be there at the start line.
RACE TIMINGS
| Race Category | Start Time | Distance |
| Start & Finish : Indira Gandhi Sarani Rd. / Red Road | ||
| 10K Open + Police Cup | 5:30 am | 10K |
| 25K Elite | 6:30 am | 25K |
| 25K Amateur + Vijay Diwas Trophy | 6:32 am | 25K |
| Senior Citizen’s Run & Champions with Disability | 8:20 am | 2.3K |
| Ananda Run | 8:50 am | 4.5K |
LIVE TELECAST
The Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata will be telecast live on Sony Sports Ten 5 (HD & SD) on Sunday, December 15 from 6:15 am onwards.
20,537 RUNNERS IN ALL TO GRAB ATTENTION; INCLUDING 6978 FOR ACROSS INDIA.
25K (including Elite & Vijay Diwas) 4765
Open 10K (Including Police Cup) 7950
Ananda Run 5475
Senior Citizen Run 1957
Champions with Disability 390
Manoj Verma IPS, Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, and Mrs. Sharda Verma will both run 10K. Subhankar Sinha Sarkar IPS, Addl CP. Running 10K.
D P Singh IPS, Addl. CP, Subhankar Sinha Sarkar IPS, Addl CP and Santosh Pandey IPS, Addl CP all are running in 10K.
R C Srikanth COS, Indian Army & Mrs. Ashima Srikanth running in 5K.
Tata Steel MD, T V Narendran is running in Ananda Run.
With the weather forecast for Sunday with a minimum temperature of 14 degrees Celsius and a high of 23 degrees Celsius and a nippiness in the air with a windspeed of 10 kmph it will be ideal conditions for the runners to test their mettle.
