The eighth edition of eastern India’s premier road race is all set to be its biggest ever.
On December 17, at the crack of dawn, more than 17,000 people will be at the starting blocks of the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K, partnered by The Telegraph.
“This year, the total number of registrations closed at 17,557, the highest so far in the history of TSK 25K,” said an official of Procam, the organisers of the race.
Last year, when the race made a comeback after a two-year Covid-induced hiatus, 15,186 runners had registered. It was then the highest number, the official said.
“Last year, people were desperate for the return of normalcy. But this year, the organic growth establishes that Kolkata is taking running more seriously with each passing year,” he said.
Veenu Jha, 71, embodies that spirit to perfection. The resident of Kestopur, near the airport, is among the oldest runners in the 10K segment.
“I loved running since my childhood. I started distance running six years ago,” said Jha, who lives with her husband.
She came in contact with a Salt Lake-based running group. She started running with the members in and around Salt Lake. Jha is a TSK regular.
“Initially, when they urged me to enlist, I was hesitant. But running is like a habit. It grows on you. Even at this age, running gives me a purpose. I am looking forward to December 17 eagerly,” said Jha.
For practice, she runs every day. In the run-up to the race, she has been running 10km every alternate day.
TSK 25K has five segments — 25K, 10K, Silvers’ Run (which was earlier called Senior Citizens’ run, covering 2.3km), Ananda Run (4.5km) and Champions with Disability run (2.3km).
“All the segments have received an overwhelming response. With more than 6,000 registrations, the 10K segment will have the most participants,” the organisers said.
The course of the road race, which starts and ends on Red Road, covers some of the city’s majestic sights — Eden Gardens, Victoria Memorial, Park Street, Vidyasagar Setu, Prinsep Ghat and Fort Williams golf course.
The course has left a mark on veteran runners, who run marathons across the country.
“The leafy stretch of the Maidan is delightful. Running past the Victoria Memorial is an added incentive for me,” said Ratan David, 51, who has been a part of all the seven previous editions of TSK.
David, an engineer with a PSU major in Mumbai, took to distance running when he was 38. “Approaching 40, I decided to take fitness seriously,” said David, who made his debut in the Mumbai Marathon of 2011.
“What impresses me the most is the evolution of running in Kolkata. During the first couple of editions of TSK, running was yet to gain traction in Kolkata. Running groups were an alien concept. Now, I see so many running groups in Kolkata,” said David, who is landing in the city on Saturday, a day before the run.
Surojit Das, who lives in Garia, has got his entire family — parents and wife — registered. This will be their TSK debut. His father is 81 and his mother is 78.
“Inadvertently, I got them registered in 25K. But my parents are very kicked about the race. They would not be able to complete 25km. But they want to participate and do their best. The sight of so many people running together on Red Road is what they are looking forward to,” said Das, who has run marathons in India and abroad.