Kebede retains women’s crown at Gold Label Tata Steel World 25K

Ethiopian Sutume Kebede retained the women’s crown in the ninth edition of Tata Steel World 25K, the first World Athletics Gold Label Road Race at this distance, in the West Bengal capital today. Ugandan Stephen Kissa triumphed over the defending champion, Daniel Ebenyo from Kenya, in the men’s race.

The Indian elite runners also returned with splendid performances, with Gulveer Singh setting a new event record and Sanjeevani taking the title in the women’s category.

As they converged upon the historic Red Road, Kolkata woke up to 14 degrees Celsius and a spring in their feet. More than 20,500 people participated in various categories, making it one of the most popular races in the country.

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.

Having set a stand-alone World Best for 25K here while winning last year’s race with a time of 1:18:47, the Ethiopian runner started her campaign in 2024 with fantastic personal best in half-marathon (1:04:37) and marathon (2:15:55) to take the top spots in Houston and Tokyo respectively.

Incidentally, her timing in Tokyo made her the 8th fastest among women marathoners to date.

Coming to Kolkata with confidence and the desire to excel, Sutume started today’s race with some initial challenges from Bahrain’s Desi Jisa, the winner here in 2022, and Kenyan Viola Chpengeno, a third-place finisher in last year’s Delhi half-marathon.

The Kenyan started fading in the waning stages of the race, thus allowing Kebede to become a clear leader after 23K. The Ethiopian runner’s winning time would have been better had Chepngeno continued with her for some more time. However, Kebede signed off 2024 with another winning note.

Chepngeno finished second in 1:19:44, while Jisa finished a distant third at 1:21:29.

Kebede expressed her joy in retaining the title: ‘I am very happy to win (here) again. I wanted to break the course record, but was a little tired of travelling. I am training for the next year and will participate in the marathons’.

‘I am happy to come second. It was not easy to run here. Everyone was strong today. I gave my best, and this makes me very happy,” Viola said while Jisa added, “I am happy to be on the podium. Thanks to everyone.’