What Happened in Joshua Cheptegei’s Last Race? | Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata

On a crisp winter morning in Kolkata, the Tata Steel World 25K 2025 delivered unforgettable moments as global champions shone and Indian distance running reached new heights. 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, the double Olympic champion, showcased his class with a commanding victory in the international elite men’s race, clocking 1:11:49 to claim his maiden Tata Steel World 25K title. Cheptegei controlled the race from the outset, pulling away in the final kilometres to finish ahead of Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Siumbu and Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana in a thrilling finish.

The international elite women’s race saw Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw deliver a masterclass in front-running. Competing on the Kolkata course for the third time, Degitu led from start to finish to win in 1:19:36, dethroning defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede and completing a dominant Ethiopian performance.

The heart of the day, however, belonged to India 🇮🇳.

Indian elite runner Gulveer Singh produced a sensational performance, smashing his own course record by over two minutes. Mixing briefly with the international elite, Gulveer surged ahead of the Indian field to finish in 1:12:06, underlining the rapid rise of Indian long-distance running. He was followed by Harmanjot Singh and Sawan Barwal.

In the Indian women’s elite category, Seema etched her name into history by rewriting the course record, marking another milestone for Indian athletics on home soil.

From record-breaking runs to commanding victories, the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata 2025 proved to be a landmark event for global and Indian distance running alike.

📍 Event Location: Kolkata, India
📅 Date: December 21, 2025

0:04Intro
0:28 Race info
0:59 Start
1:24 Fast but calm
1:45 women early watch
2:01 Things heat up in men's race
2:22 Big surprise
2:44 Home hero moment India
3:07 The calm before the storm
3:39 Cheptegei Tests the Waters
3:55 Indian record chase
4:16 Tension everywhere
4:44 Fearless move
5:09 What about the record?
5:30 Upset attempt
5:47 Experience wins
6:03 Final moves
7:37 Conclusion