Eastern India’s biggest road race is set to get bigger than ever, the organisers said on Wednesday.
The eighth edition of the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K, partnered by The Telegraph, will be held on December 17.
“The timed races of 25K and 10K have already been oversubscribed. Registrations for the Ananda Run (4.2km) and Champions with Disability (2.3km) are open until November 30, 11.59pm or till the slots are filled, whichever is earlier,” the organisers said at a programme at the Victoria Memorial on Wednesday.
The countdown clock of the TSK 25K was unveiled against the backdrop of the majestic Victoria Memorial on Wednesday.
Former 110m hurdles world record holder Colin Jackson will flag off eastern India’s biggest road race at the crack of dawn on December 17. Jackson has been named the international event ambassador of the TSK 25K.
The World Athletics Elite Label Road Race takes in some of the city’s majestic sights — Eden Gardens, Victoria Memorial, Park Street, Vidya Sagar Setu, James Prinsep Ghat, Fort Williams Golf — with the start and end points on the iconic Red Road.
The $100,000 prize money race will witness the best athletes from across the world compete alongside India’s elite and amateur runners in Kolkata.
“When we started, we thought who would come to run so early on a winter morning. But look where we have reached. Last year, when we resumed after Covid, we started from where we had left off. This year, going by the overwhelming response, seems to be bigger than ever,” said Sarvesh Kumar, chief of corporate communications, Tata Steel.
On race day, each 25K finisher will be rewarded with a “Medal of Steel” to celebrate their grit.
All 25K registered participants will get a race-day tee.
The top 1,000 male and top 1,000 women who finish the 10k run will be rewarded with a finisher tee.
In a show of solidarity with the services, TSK 25K celebrates Vijay Diwas that falls during the week of the event.
Instituted in 2018, it remains an integral part of the running festival with the participation of the Eastern Command.
The trophy is inspired by the Vijay Smarak.
Vijay Diwas Trophy is contested between the army, navy and air force with a total of 35 teams. Each team has three members running the 25K and the aggregate of their timings determine the winner.
The Police Cup has 170 police teams, including 150 men’s and 20 women’s teams will be competing in this category. Each team has three members, running the 10km and the team with the fastest aggregate time will be adjudged the winner.
“From my experience in my field, I can say that keeping in mind the soldiers and my colleagues who have given their lives for the motherland, I would love to run for them,” said Major General H. Dharmarajan, General Officer Commanding, Bengal Sub Area.c