Azimeraw Stuns Kebede, Cheptegei Triumphs in Kolkata’s World 25K

Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw stunned two-time champion Sutume Kebede, while Uganda’s Olympic and World champion Joshua Cheptegei justified his billing with a maiden victory in his debut over the distance at the 10th edition of the Tata Steel World 25K, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race..

The Sunday morning race, run under cool conditions, saw four Ethiopian women stride together past the first 5K mark. Kebede, fresh from her Tokyo Marathon triumph earlier this year and already a two-time winner in Kolkata, was the most seasoned among them.

Yet, it was Azimeraw who seized the spotlight. Having won here back in 2017 when the race first became international, and finishing fourth the following year, she remained in the leading pack alongside Kebede and Meselech Alemayehu.

At the 15K mark, Alemayehu briefly surged ahead, but Azimeraw responded with renewed pace, breaking away decisively.

Kebede, trailing in third until the closing stages, attempted a late charge but could not bridge the gap. Azimeraw crossed the line in 1:19:36, claiming her second Kolkata crown after eight years.

Kebede finished second in 1:20:28, twenty seconds ahead of Alemayehu. Reflecting on her victory, Azimeraw admitted, ‘It wasn’t the plan before for me. It was a little crazy. My legs were a little stiff, so I just focused on going strong. But after 10km, my legs got better, and then I continued to build my race and speed, and with that, I won. I am very happy.’

In the men’s race, Joshua Cheptegei faced a stern test from Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana, who led much of the way, and Tanzanian Alphonce Simbu, the reigning World Marathon Champion.

The trio passed the 20K mark in 57:34 and the half-marathon distance in 60:49, still tightly grouped. Cheptegei then made his decisive move, breaking away to establish a lead that proved unassailable. Simbu fought hard to close the gap but fatigue set in, leaving him second in 1:11:56, with Ramakongoana third in 1:11:59. Cheptegei sealed his debut 25K victory in 1:11:49.

Although both Azimeraw and Cheptegei missed out on the World Best and Course Record, and with it the USD 25,000 and USD 5,000 bonuses, their triumphs carried immense significance. Cheptegei reflected, ‘Winning mattered more than the record for me. Coming back to Kolkata and winning is special for me. I have won in Bangalore, and this was a big race with world-class athletes. This victory gives me confidence and positivity as I prepare for my next marathon.’

The Indian elite races provided equally compelling narratives. Gulveer Singh, one of India’s fastest-rising distance runners, delivered a statement run of rare authority. He finished sixth overall in the men’s elite race, clocking 1:12:06, and in doing so shattered his own Indian course record of 1:14:10 set in 2024.

With smooth, fluid strides, Gulveer surged ahead of the Indian pack early, briefly mixing with the international elite before powering home. Harmanjot Singh (1:15:11) and Sawan Barwal (1:15:25) followed him onto the podium, but Gulveer’s dominance was clear.

By the 15K mark, he had already established a minute’s lead, which grew to two minutes by 21.1K, where he clocked 1:00:58 compared to Harmanjot’s 1:03:17.

Speaking after his record-breaking run, Gulveer said, ‘Records aren’t created just like that. They come from consistency. With strong support, dedicated coaches, and relentless training, the only goal is to be better than yesterday.

‘I don’t believe in fixing ceilings for myself. Diet, workout, and rest is all I do. Nothing else matters. Progress takes time. There are no shortcuts. India is rising, step by step, race by race. The journey is long, and I’m just getting started.’

In the women’s Indian elite category, Seema produced an equally emphatic triumph. Already the Asian Cross-country Champion in 2024 and a silver medallist at the World University Games earlier this year, she stopped the clock at 1:26:04, breaking the long-standing Indian course record of 1:26:53 set by Suriya L in 2017.

Her margin of victory was commanding, with Sanjivani Jhadav finishing second in 1:30:34, more than four minutes behind, and Nirmaben Thakor third in 1:32:02.