An exhilarating challenge awaits renowned athletes as they gear up for the 10th edition of the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata. The star-studded lineup includes World marathon champion Alphonce Simbu, Olympic double champion Joshua Cheptegei, and defending women's champion Sutume Kebede. But this year's race promises an even tougher test with a hillier course, featuring a 50% increase in elevation and two bridges, adding an extra layer of complexity to the already formidable competition.
Simbu, renowned for his marathon prowess, aims to showcase his versatility by dominating the challenging terrain. Cheptegei, transitioning from track to road racing, seeks to solidify his reputation in a country he holds dear. The race also attracts the talented Tebello Ramakongoana from Lesotho, who placed seventh in the Paris Olympics, eager to showcase his skills in this prestigious World Athletics Gold Label race, which offers a substantial prize pool of $142,214 and a $25,000 bonus for breaking the world record.
Among the women, Kebede, the defending champion, is determined to achieve a hat-trick of victories and claim the event's record bonus of $5,000. However, she faces formidable competition from her Ethiopian compatriot Degitu Azimeraw, the 2017 winner, and the Kenyan Agnes Keino. The race also features Asian 5,000m and 10,000m champion Gulveer Singh and Sanjivani Jadhav, defending their men's and women's titles, respectively, in the Indian category. Other top runners, including Sawan Barwal, Abhishek Pal, Lili Das, and Seema, will also be in action, adding to the excitement.
With over 23,000 participants, the event will award substantial prizes to the top three amateur runners in both the men's and women's sections across various age groups. The thrilling race will be broadcast live on Sony Sports 1 HD and SD from 5:30 a.m., ensuring that fans around the world can witness the action and cheer for their favorite athletes. The event promises to be a spectacle, blending athletic excellence with the thrill of overcoming challenging course conditions.
