World 25K Kolkata: Gulveer and Seema Shatter Records as Joshua Delivers in Landmark 10th Edition

Kolkata- Uganda’s Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei showcased his class and composure in the international elite men’s race, but the spotlight at the 10th edition of the World 25K Kolkata firmly belonged to India’s Gulveer Singh and Seema, who rewrote the Indian course records with commanding performances in their respective elite categories on Sunday.

Cheptegei asserted control from the very start, setting the tempo and maintaining his lead throughout a high-quality race. The double Olympic gold medallist crossed the finish line in 1:11:49 to claim his first title in Kolkata, edging out Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Siumbu (1:11:56) and Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana (1:11:59) in a closely fought podium finish. Although he narrowly missed the course record of 1:11:13 set by Daniel Simiu Ebenyo in 2023, Cheptegei’s authoritative run underlined his dominance over the distance. The leading trio remained inseparable through the 15 km and 20 km checkpoints, before Cheptegei, clocking 1:00:49 at the half-marathon mark, surged clear over the final four kilometres to seal victory.

“Winning was more important than the record,” Cheptegei said after the race. “Coming back to Kolkata and winning here is special. I have won in Bangalore as well, and this was a big race with world-class athletes. This victory gives me confidence as I prepare for my next marathon.”

In the international elite women’s race, Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw delivered a measured and dominant performance to reclaim the Kolkata crown. Competing on the course for the third time, the 2017 winner broke away early and never looked back, finishing in 1:19:36. Defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede took second place in 1:20:28, while Meselech Alemayehu finished third in 1:20:48, completing an Ethiopian sweep of the podium. Despite Azimeraw’s emphatic victory, Sutume retained the course record. Degitu steadily extended her lead at every checkpoint, opening up a gap of nearly a minute by the 22 km mark and finishing approximately 500 metres ahead of her nearest rival.

“It wasn’t really the plan initially,” Degitu said. “My legs felt stiff early on, so I focused on running strong. After 10 km, I started feeling better and built my pace gradually. That helped me win, and I am very happy with the result.”

The Indian elite races, however, produced the most compelling storylines of the day. Gulveer Singh delivered a performance of exceptional authority, smashing his own Indian course record by more than two minutes. Running with effortless rhythm, Gulveer surged ahead of the Indian field early, briefly matching strides with the international elite before finishing in 1:12:06. He erased his previous record of 1:14:10, set in 2024, highlighting his rapid progression over the past two seasons. Harmanjot Singh (1:15:11) and Sawan Barwal (1:15:25) completed the podium. Gulveer steadily increased his advantage from the 15 km mark onward, crossing the half-marathon point in 1:00:58, well ahead of his closest challenger.

“Records don’t happen overnight,” said Gulveer, the Asian long-distance double gold medallist. “They come from consistency, discipline, and relentless training. I don’t believe in setting limits for myself. Diet, training, and recovery are my priorities. Progress takes time, and there are no shortcuts. Indian distance running is growing race by race, and my journey is just beginning.”

Equally impressive was Seema’s triumph in the Indian elite women’s category. The reigning Asian cross-country champion and World University Games silver medallist clocked 1:26:04, breaking the Indian course record of 1:26:53 set by Suriya L in 2017. Sanjivani Jhadav finished second in 1:30:34, with Nirmaben Thakor third in 1:32:02. Seema’s dominance was evident from the outset as she steadily widened the gap at every checkpoint, building a lead of over three minutes by the half-marathon mark before cruising home to erase an eight-year-old record.

“The course has been changed and is more challenging now,” Seema said. “But I came here with the mindset to win. I am happy to break the course record, though I feel I could have gone even faster on the earlier layout. Success requires discipline and sacrifice, and I have committed myself fully. My next goal is to qualify for the Asian and Commonwealth Games next year.”

With inputs from IANS