Three internationally recognized distance runners will compete in the 25-kilometre race in Kolkata, India, on Sunday, 21 December. All three athletes will be running their first 25K race at the 10th Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race.
The Top Contenders?
Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu, the 2025 World Marathon Champion, spoke to the media ahead of the race, and he is looking forward to what he expects to be a challenging contest. The 33-year-old won the world marathon title in 2025 and earned a bronze medal at the 2017 World Marathon Championships.
“I don’t feel pressure, I see running as joy and responsibility to represent my country well,” Simbu said. “With a new generation rising, every race is about growth and preparing for bigger challenges ahead.”
Meanwhile, Tebello Ramakongoana of Lesotho enters this weekend’s race on good form after setting a national record this year with a time of 2:06:18 in the Xiamen International Marathon. The 29-year-old also placed third in Sydney in August with a time of 2:06:47.
Read More: Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede Aims For 3rd Straight Win at Kolkata 25K Race
Ramakongoana has completed five marathon races with times under 2 hours and 10 minutes. He finished fourth at the 2023 World Championships and seventh at the 2024 Olympic Games in the marathon. “The 25K is the perfect bridge between the half-marathon and the marathon,” Ramakongoana said.
Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei is the highest-profile athlete in the competition. Cheptegei has won two Olympic gold medals: the 5000 metres in 2021 and the 10,000 metres in 2024.
He has also won five world titles in the 10,000 metres and cross country events between 2019 and 2023. “India is like a second home to me, because my international journey truly began here,” Cheptegei said.
Other Notable Athletes
Ethiopian runner Haymanot Alew finished fourth in the 2023 Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata with a time of 1:13:44. He will also compete on Sunday.
Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata Elite Men’s Field
- Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda
- Alphonce Felix Simbu, Tanzania
- Haymanot Alew, Ethiopia
- Tebello Ramakongoana, Lesotho
- Collins Kipkorir, Kenya
- Debebe Teka, Ethiopia
- Tamru Shifera, Ethiopia
- Reuben Rono, Kenya
- Fikadu Liche, Ethiopia
- Anthony Kipchirchir, Kenya
- Wisley Yego, Kenya
- Stephen Kimutai, Kenya
- Niguse Abera, Ethiopia
Click here for the complete start list
