The city’s biggest road race will have more than 20,000 runners at its start line this year, the most it hasever had.

The inaugural race in 2014 saw the organisers struggling to fill the running slots. Now, it is a struggle to accommodate people who want to run.

The Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, partnered by The Telegraph, will be held on December 15. This year, more than 20,000 runners have already registered for the race.

Registrations for the 10K Open category have been closed as it has beenoversubscribed.

Registrations for the 25K, Ananda Run, Senior Citizens’ Run and Champions with Disability are open. Registrations can be done by logging into https://tatasteelworld25k.procam.in and will be open till 11.59pm on November 29 or until the slots are filled.

The TSW 25K is credited with starting and fostering a running culture in Calcutta where there are now 40-plus running groups spread across the city and its neighbouring areas.

Vivek Singh of Procam International, the organisers of the race, told a news conference at the Victoria Memorial on Wednesday evening: “Back when the run started we had people asking us why they needed to pay to run and several even asked if they would get paid to participate. We were asked why we were organising a road race in Calcutta that had no running culture. We have come a long way.”

The race is spread across five categories: 25K run, 10K Open category, 4.5km Ananda Run, 2.3km Senior Citizens’ Run and 2.3km Champions with Disability.

Last year, the race had 17,557 runners across the various categories.

Chanakya Chaudhary, vice-president of corporate services, Tata Steel, said the road race has spurred a movement across eastern India, including in small villages. “This road race draws runners from places across eastern India and people prepare for it all year around,” said Chaudhary.

The route of the race remains unchanged.

The course of TSW 25K, which starts and ends on Red Road, covers some of the majestic sights of the city such as the Victoria Memorial, Eden Gardens, Park Street, Vidyasagar Setu, Prinsep Ghat and the Fort William golf course.

Jhulan Goswami, one of the faces of the race, said it was hard to miss the buzz around the race.

“Calcutta is no longer lazy and laidback. Thousands turn up at the start every year,” said Goswami, who has captained India’s women’s cricket team and is credited with taking the most number of wickets in international women’s cricket. She will be among the athletes at the start of the race.

Former England defender and Premier League star Sol Campbell will flag off the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, partnered by The Telegraph, on December 15.