Double Olympic & Triple World Champion Joshua Cheptegei to Headline Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata/INDIA; Sutume Kebede Returns to Defend Her Title

USD 25,000 Bonus to boost World Record attempt in Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata

Kolkata, 9 December: 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.

Uganda’s two-time Olympic champion and three-time World Champion Joshua Cheptegei and women’s
defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede will race to better world standings in this year’s Tata Steel
World 25K, Kolkata, the first World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, to be held here on Sunday, 21st
December.

In a significant move inspired by Kolkata’s historically fast timings, Procam International, announced a
USD 25,000 bonus for any athlete who shatters the world record of 1:11:08.

The landmark 10th edition will witness some of the world’s best athletes take centre stage at the
US$142,214 prize money race. With equal prize money for the men’s and women’s winners, the top
three winners each stand to win $15000, $10000, and $7000, respectively. The runners will be further
incentivised by an Event Record Bonus of US $5,000.

Cheptegei (29), won three consecutive World titles in 10,000m, had four world records to his credit,
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 5000 and 10000 World Records still stands, revealed
his interest in making a debut at 25K in Kolkata.

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 timings and results. 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.

Sutume Kebede – Photo: Procam International 

Another important entrant in the men’s list will be Alphonce Felix Simbu from Tanzania. Simbu, who
made a thrilling victory in the World Championships Marathon in Tokyo this September, as 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 among the men’s
rosters. 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 marvellous
2:03:31, will join hands with Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana, a runner-up in Xianmen Marathon
earlier this year, to make this year’s contest worth watching.

“India is one of my favourite destinations. I want to give my best in my maiden venture in Kolkata”, said
Cheptegei.

Asefa is coming back:
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 opined 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 Joshua Cheptegei
and Alphonce Felix 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 Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata will be telecast live on Sony Sports 1 and Sony Sports 1 HD on December 21 from 5:30 am onwards.

Elite Field for the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata 2025-
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)

For more details, please contact
Procam International:
Neha Kandalgaonkar / Deepak M.Pilankar
neha@procam.in/ deepak@procam.in

Carpe Diem Communique Pvt. Ltd
Dolon Dasbhaumik 9874272071 /Moumita Biswas 8777866266

For more information about the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, log on to
https://tatasteelworld25k.procam.in/
https://www.instagram.com/tsw25k
https://x.com/tsw25k
https://www.facebook.com/tsw25k
https://www.youtube.com/@World25KKolkata

ABOUT PROCAM INTERNATIONAL
Since its inception in 1988, Procam International has been the driving force behind the growth and
development of sports management in India. Founded by the dynamic Singh brothers Anil and Vivek, Procam is India’s premier sports management company and is involved in live events, sports consultancy, and live television production.
With astute planning and exemplary execution, Procam has a track record of conceptualising and promoting over 100 international events, across the disciplines of Powerboat Racing, Cricket, Football, Tennis, Distance Running, Squash, WWE, Horse Racing, Volleyball, among others. These events have elicited participation of the highest calibre of athletes and huge public interest and attendance.

Pioneers of the distance running movement in India, Procam International’s Big 4 – Tata Mumbai Marathon, Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, Tata Consultancy Services World 10K and Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata— are global leaders in their respective distances. They have ushered in a running revolution that has helped redefine the health, fitness, and ‘giving’ paradigm of our country.

website: https://procam.in

Ram. Murali Krishnan – Running India News Service