Gulveer Singh and Sanjeevani Jadhav Lead Star-Studded Indian Elite Field for Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata 2025

India's distance running royalty Gulveer Singh, the national record holder in 10,000m and 5,000m, and defending women's champion Sanjeevani Jadhav will anchor the elite Indian contingent at the prestigious

10th edition of the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata on Sunday, December 21.

Organized by Procam International, this landmark US$142,214 prize money event offers equal payouts for men's and women's winners, with the top three earning INR 3,00,000, INR 2,50,000, and INR 2,00,000 respectively, plus an INR 1,00,000 event record bonus.

Gulveer Singh, the Army ace and India's quickest-ever long-distance runner who shattered the 13-minute 5000m barrier, headlines the men's field. Returning after his 2024 Indian event record of 1:14:10, the double Asian Championships gold medallist boasts national records across 3000m, 5000m, and 10,000m. "It feels great to fight for the winner's spot at Tata Steel World 25K. I will look to better my timings this year. The competition is good, and I will enjoy running with this packed team. Also, this race gives me a chance to brush shoulders with the international field," Gulveer said.

Chasing him will be Sawan Barwal, the 2023 Tata Steel World 25K champion and consistent podium threat in major Indian road races; Abhishek Pal, the current 5000m/10,000m national champion and 2022 Indian elite winner here, fresh off TCS World 10K Bengaluru victory; Kiran Matre, Maharashtra's breakout talent with national titles and podiums at Vedanta Delhi Half and TCS World 10K; and Gaurav Mathur, a two-time podium finisher at this event. This powerhouse quintet-each with recent national, meet, or event records-guarantees a blistering battle from Howrah Bridge to the Maidan.

The women's race shapes up just as fiercely behind Sanjivani Jadhav, the two-time Tata Steel World 25K winner (2022, 2024) with a trophy cabinet full of Asian podiums and international scalps. "I just love to race here. The race route is nice and even. The climate is just what you want for running this distance. This also helps me prepare for the bigger distances. With the Asian Games round the corner, I am looking forward to clocking a good time here," Sanjivani said.

Her top rivals include Seema, the 2025 Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon Indian elite winner and South Asian Championships silver medallist, who's among India's swiftest over 5000m/10,000m this year; and Lili Das, the middle-distance star turned road racer, with Vedanta Delhi Half victory and a personal best here last year. Expect fireworks in this elite showdown.