Fifteen thousand people have so far registered for the city’s premier road race. The Tata Steel Kolkata 25K, partnered by The Telegraph, will be held on Sunday after a two-year pandemic-induced gap. “Over 15,000 people have so far registered, across different categories.
The previous edition of the race in 2019 saw a similar turnout,” a spokesperson for the organisers said on Wednesday. Late birds can still visit Khudiram Anushilan Kendra on Friday and Saturday for on-the-spot registrations — in Ananda Run, 25K and Champions With Disability categories — till slots are available.
The route covers several landmarks.
The starting and finishing point is on Red Road. The course spans Kidderpore Road, Mayo Road, Park Street, Gariahat, Golpark, Southern Avenue, Kalighat, Alipore and Hastings.
On Sunday, the Open10K run will start at 5.40am, followed by the 25K, Champions With Disability, Senior Citizens’ Run and Ananda Run.
The Police Cup and Vijay Diwas Trophy will see cops and military personnel sweat it out. TSK 25K will be telecast live on Sony Sports1 and Sony Sports1 HD from 6am to 10am. The event will be streamed live on Sony liv, the organisers said at a news conference on Wednesday. A doctor associated with TSK advised a high-carb meal the day before and a light snack before the race.
“Nobody should start running only on that day and push themselves too far. A runner should stop upon feeling uncomfortable,” said Sanjukta Dutta, medical director and head of emergency, Fortis Hospital.
“Trained medical personnel will be present at all the stations to deal with emergency situations. Around 25 nurses and 20 doctors, eight ambulances and eight paramedics on motorcycles will be on the road,” she said.
Shooter Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, will flag off the race on Sunday. His name was announced as the event ambassador by the organisers on Wednesday. Former tennis champion Mary Pierce, who was earlier named the ambassador, has taken ill, the organisers said.
A near-perfect 10.8 on his last shot saw the then 25-yearold Bindra nail the men’s 10m air rifle gold at the 2008 Beijing Games.
“The Tata Steel Kolkata 25K has motivated people of all age groups to embrace a healthy lifestyle. The spirit of the event energises runners and instils faith in them. I’m excited to be a part of this event and look forward to seeing thousands of runners participate,“ said Bindra, an entrepreneur and philanthropist now.
“With the International Film Festival being inaugurated at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Thursday, the police have directed that running bibs can be collected from Khudiram Anushilan Kendra only on Friday (9am to 9pm) and Saturday (9am to 7pm),” an official of Procam, the organisers of the race, said on Wednesday.