The legendary Joshua Cheptegei and women’s defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia will race to better the world standings in this year’s Tata Steel World 25K in Kolkata on December 21.
In a significant move inspired by Kolkata’s historically fast results, Procam International announced a US$25,000 bonus for any athlete who shatters the world record of 1:11:08.
The landmark 10th edition will see some of the world’s best athletes take centre stage at the US$142,214 race. The top three stand to win $15,000, $10,000, and $7000, respectively. The runners will be further incentivized by an event record bonus of US $5,000 in prize money.
It is the first World Athletics Gold Label Road Race to be held on Sunday, December 21.
The men’s race
Cheptegei (29) won three consecutive World titles in 10,000m. Currently, he holds two world and three national records, including the 5K and 10K on roads. A winner of last year’s Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon and this year’s TCS World 10K at Bengaluru, the Ugandan, whose 5000m and 10,000m world records continue to stand, revealed his commitment to making a debut at 25K in Kolkata.
Just two years ago, Kolkata witnessed stand-alone world records in the 25K, set by Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo (1:11:13) and Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede (1:18:47), winners of the men’s and women’s races, respectively.
Another notable athlete in the men’s field will be Alphonce Felix Simbu from Tanzania. Simbu made a thrilling victory in the World Championships Marathon in Tokyo this September. He snatched the gold from Germany’s Amanal Petros at the post, where only three-hundredths of a second separated the two, is all set to give Cheptegei a run for his money at Kolkata.
There are two more important names from the African continent popping up in the men’s roster. Ethiopian Haymanot Alew, who narrowly missed the podium in Kolkata during the epic 2023 race but went on to take a blazing third-place finish in the 2024 Berlin Marathon, clocking a fast 2:03:31. He will join Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana, a runner-up in Xianmen Marathon earlier this year, to make this year’s contest worth watching.
The last ten years have truly been #ADecadeOfDifference for the Tata Steel World 25K, reflected in the growing depth of elite participation each year as well as the consistently fast results.
“India is one of my favourite destinations. I want to give my best in my maiden venture in Kolkata,” said Cheptegei.
The women’s race
Asefa is coming back. The Ethiopian star Sutume Asefa Kebede, who first set the world record for 25K in 2015 at Berlin and conquered the Kolkata roads with yet another record time in 2023, is all set to come back for a hat-trick here.
Her teammate and the 2017 winner in Kolkata, Degitu Azimeraw, is ready to topple her at the top of the table this time.
Ugandan Olympic finalist Sarah Chelangat, winner of this year’s TCS World 10K in Bengaluru, and Agnes Keino from Kenya will challenge the Ethiopian women for the top spot.
Kebede won the Tokyo Marathon earlier this year from a strong field of more than 175 runners. However, during the World Championships at the same venue, she had a disappointing outing, finishing 27th. The Ethiopian now needs to prove her critics wrong with a winning note to end her season in Kolkata, which will surely boost her morale.
“I am thrilled to make my third appearance in Kolkata. With an exciting field to challenge me this time, I will be expecting to improve my timings this year, said Kebede.
The Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata celebrates its milestone 10th edition this year. With participation and enthusiasm growing stronger each season, and with world-class athletes such as Cheptegei and Simbu headlining the elite field, Kolkata is poised for an exciting and fast race later this month,” said Vivek Singh, Joint Managing Director, Procam International, promoters of the race.
The race will be telecast live on Sony Sports 1 and Sony Sports 1 HD on December 21 from 5:30 am onwards.
Promoted by Procam International, the landmark 10th edition of Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata 2025 will witness 23,000+ runners from across the world come together to celebrate the spirit of running. This overwhelming response with registrations oversubscribed across all categories marks yet another unforgettable chapter in the city of joy sporting legacy #ADecadeOfDiffrence.
Elite Field for the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata 202
MEN
1. Joshua Cheptegei (UGA/1996) (HM PB 59:21)
2. Alphonce Felix Simbu (TAN/1992) (HM PB 60.03)
3. Haymanot Alew (ETH/1997) (HM PB 60:26)
4. Tebello Ramakonga (LES/1996) (HM PB 60:17)
5. Collins Kipkorir (KEN/2001) (HM PB 60:23)
6. Debebe Teka (ETH/1998) (HM PB 61:37)
7. Tamru Shifera (ETH/1998) (HM PB 60:47)
8. Reuben Rono (KEN/2000) (HM PB 62:05)
9. Fikadu Liche (ETH/2004) (HM PB 60:34)
10. Anthony Kipchirchir (KEN/2001) (HM PB 62:02)
11. Wisley Yego (KEN/1997) (HM PB 60:32)
12. Stephen Kimutai (KEN/1994) (HM PB 61:32)
13. Niguse Abera (ETH/2006)
WOMEN
1. Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH/1994) (25KM PB 1:18:47)
2. Degitu Azimeraw (ETH/1999) (25KM PB 1:22:20)
3. Agnes Keino (KEN/1988) (HM PB 68:47)
4. Demilew Zemenaw (ETH/2005)
5. Ergat Heshe (ETH/2006)
6. Mastewal Sile (ETH/1999)
7. Hawi Worku (ETH/2006) (PB 71:51)
8. Meselech Alemayehu (ETH/2006)
9. Aberash Minsewo (ETH/ 2001)
10. Kuftu Tahir (ETH/1995)
11.Tibeb Tafere (ETH- 2006)
