Santanu Bose, KOLKATA, December 21, 2025 — On a crisp, sun-drenched winter morning, the streets of Kolkata were transformed into a theater of speed and endurance as the 10th edition of the Tata Steel World 25K (TSK 25K) took place. This landmark anniversary wasn’t just a race; it was a historic day for Indian athletics, featuring world-record holders, over 23,000 participants, and two stunning new Indian national records.

_{^{The Tata Steel Kolkata 25K (TSK 25K) / Photo : Santanu Bose}}

The international spotlight was firmly on Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, the double Olympic gold medalist, who was making his much-anticipated 25km debut. Cheptegei lived up to the hype, clocking 1:11:49 to claim the men’s elite title. In a thrilling final stretch on Red Road, he narrowly edged out Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu (1:11:56). In the women’s international category, Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw produced a clinical performance, reclaiming her crown with a time of 1:19:36. She dominated the race from the 10km mark, leading an Ethiopian podium sweep and denying defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede a hat-trick of wins.

_{^{The Tata Steel Kolkata 25K (TSK 25K) / Photo : Santanu Bose}}

While the international stars dazzled, the loudest cheers were reserved for the Indian elites. Gulveer Singh and Seema didn’t just win; they obliterated the existing Indian course records, setting new national benchmarks for the 25km distance.

• Gulveer Singh: Sliced more than two minutes off his own previous record, finishing in 1:12:06. His performance was so dominant that he placed 5th overall in the international field.
• Seema: In a spectacular debut at this distance, she clocked 1:26:04, breaking a long-standing eight-year record and finishing more than four minutes ahead of her closest competitor.

Due to ongoing repairs on the Vidyasagar Setu, the 10th edition featured a reimagined route. For the first time, runners traversed the lush greenery around Rabindra Sarobar and the boulevards of Southern Avenue, providing a scenic yet technical challenge with five U-turns.

The race remained a tribute to the Indian Armed Forces, celebrating Vijay Diwas. The “Vijay Diwas Trophy” saw fierce competition among the services, with Indian Navy 1 clinching the top spot with a consolidated time of 4:00:40.

_{^{The Tata Steel Kolkata 25K (TSK 25K) / Photo : Santanu Bose}}

Beyond the elite competition, the TSK 25K solidified its status as Kolkata’s premier participative sporting event. From the colorful Ananda Run to the inspiring Champions with Disability and Senior Citizens’ Run, the event showcased the spirit of the “City of Joy.”

“Records aren’t created just like that. They come from consistency… the only goal is to be better than yesterday.” — Gulveer Singh, Indian Elite Men’s Winner.

As the sun set on the 10th edition, the TSK 25K has clearly evolved from an “alien” concept a decade ago to the heartbeat of Kolkata’s fitness revolution.