Newcomers & Defending Champion Compete for First Place in the Tata Steel World 25K 2025

News Desk, News Nation 360 : At the 10th edition of the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, on Sunday, December 21, three of the most well-known runners in the world, all making their first 25K appearance, will compete for first place. World Marathon Champion Alphonce Felix Simbu looked composed during a media meet and greet, and he said that he doesn't feel pressured at all. Marathon running for him is all about enjoyment and representing his country in the best possible way. Actually, each time there's a new generation that's rising, he thinks that the focus is on development and even greater challenges in the future. Lesotho's 29-year-old marathoner, Tebello Ramakonga, runner-up in the Xiamen International Marathon earlier this year, broke the country record in 2:06:18. He had completed a series of half-marathons before that. He stated that he is all set for the event on Sunday. The 25K distance, he finds, is a perfect transition between the half-marathon and marathon distances. Each time he participates in an event, he is preparing for even greater dreams in the future. Uganda's double Olympic gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei heads the list of long-distance runners. He stated that India feels like a second home for them. It's a pleasure for him to be here, to run and see the development of athletics here in India. Ethiopian Sutume Kebede won here twice in the women's event. She broke a stand-alone world record in 25K running two years ago. She faces tough competition in her bid for a third successive victory here. She stated that she is very well prepared. Her training is over. No matter how many times she competes, she hopes that she has the confidence and the experience. She will aim to give an even better show than last year's. World Record prize money of USD 25,000 was promised in a press release in Kolkata. The prize money now offered would be USD 142,214. The first three in each of the men's and women's categories would receive USD 15,000, USD 10,000, and USD 7,000, respectively, they explained. Runners would receive a USD 5,000 Event Record Bonus.

Pic - Krishnendu Kundu