Who Will Shock Kolkata 25K? Cheptegei… or a Dark Horse?

Kolkata is all set to host the prestigious World 25K Athletic Meet, and the spotlight is firmly on Uganda’s superstar Joshua Cheptegei, who will compete in the 10,000m race. Cheptegei, a two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion, is one of the major attractions of this much-awaited event.

Scheduled for December 21, the race will witness participation from over 23,000 athletes, making it one of the biggest competitive fields of the year. The prize money is equally impressive — the winner will take home ₹13.47 lakh, the runner-up ₹8.98 lakh, and the third-placed athlete ₹6.29 lakh. Both men and women will receive equal prize money, reflecting the meet’s commitment to fairness.

Cheptegei, who has secured three consecutive world titles in the 10,000m and won the Delhi Half Marathon last year, also holds the world records in the 5,000m and 10,000m events — a testament to his incredible dominance.

He is expected to face strong competition from Alphonce Simbu (Tanzania), who clinched gold in the marathon at this year’s World Championships.

In the women’s category, defending champion Tigist Assefa will be back on the track. She won the 2023 Kolkata 25K race and aims to retain her crown this year as well.