Eastern India’s biggest road race just got bigger.

The Tata Steel Kolkata 25K, partnered by The Telegraph, will from this year be called the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, the organisers said on Wednesday.

“The World Athletics Gold Label has been accorded to the race based on stringent criteria, including organisational excellence, a world-class elite field, equal prize money for male and female runners, live television coverage of the race and an AIMS certified course,” they said.

Till last year, it was a Silver Label race.

The world’s richest 25K, with prize money of $142,214 (Rs1.19 crore approximately), will witness some of the fastest athletes alongside amateurs line up at the starting point on Red Road early on December 15.

Procam International, the organisers, announced that the registrations will open at 7am on September 19 at https://tatasteelworld25k.procam.in/.

The TSK 25k is widely credited with inspiring a running revolution in Calcutta and eastern India.

A flood of registrations — more than 17,500 — forced the organisers to stop registrations before time last year. In contrast, in the inaugural edition in 2014, the organisers struggled to find enough participants.

“The Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata is not just a race but a celebration of resilience, fitness, and togetherness. The event cuts across the barriers of caste, creed and gender with participation from across all segments of society,” Chanakya Chaudhary, vice-president, corporate services, Tata Steel, said at the launch, hosted by a star hotel near Raj Bhavan.

There has been a steady increase in participation across the timed categories and an over 270 per cent increase in women’s participation.

The race has witnessed some of the fastest timings in the world.

At the 2023 edition, Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo clocked a timing of 1:11:13. “It is the men’s stand-alone world’s best time ever in the 25km category,” said organisers.

“From tomorrow morning, when thousands register for the race, they will prepare to give their best at the starting line on December 15. They will make many sacrifices,” said Vivek Singh, joint managing director, Procam International.

“Amateur Running is the fastest growing participative sport in our country. Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata has steadily elevated the level of competitiveness and we are proud it has truly put West Bengal on the global running map,” he added.