Ethiopian Sutume Kebede retained the women’s crown in the ninth edition of the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, partnered by The Telegraph, on Sunday.
Ugandan Stephen Kissa triumphed over defending champion, Daniel Ebenyo from Kenya, in the men’s category.
The world’s first World Athletic Gold Label Race for this particular distance did not see a new record in the international elite athletes category but the race was closely contested.
The Indian elite runners returned with solid performances, with Gulveer Singh setting a new event record and Sanjeevani Jadhav taking the title in the women’s category.
Confirming her entry just two weeks before the race, Kebede recovered from a stomach ailment just in time to defend her title here in a modest 1:19:17. She set a standalone world record for 25K here while winning last year’s race with a time of 1:18:47.
“I am very happy to win (here) again. I wanted to break the course record, but was a little tired of travelling,” she said.
In the men’s section, Stephen Kissa salvaged some pride after logging his first win in an international competition in five years.
He claimed the men’s crown in 1:12:33, pipping defending champion Daniel Ebenyo from Kenya, who came second.
“I thought this could be my day. In the last kilometre I was comfortable, and I knew I could do it,” said Kissa.
Gulveer Singh registered another Indian best in 25K by clocking 1:14:10.
Sanjivani Jadhav grabbed the top position among Indian women, clocking 1:29:08.