Gulveer, Sanjivani to lead elite Indian field at 10th World 25K Kolkata

National record holders Gulveer Singh and Sanjivani Jadhav will headline a power-packed Indian elite field at the 10th edition of the World 25K Kolkata 2025, set to take place on December 21.

Organised by Procam International, the event will once again see Gulveer, India’s fastest long-distance runner and the first Indian to break the 13-minute barrier (13:11.82 in September 2024, Japan) in the 5000m, leading the charge. The men’s field also features multiple National champions and 2023 World 25K gold medallist Sawan Barwal.

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The 10th edition will also feature several world-class athletes competing for a total prize purse of US$142,214. With equal prize money for men and women, the top three finishers stand to earn Rs 2,75,000, Rs 2,00,000, and Rs 1,50,000 respectively, along with an additional Event Record Bonus of Rs 1,00,000.

“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.

Reigning 5000m and 10,000m national champion Abhishek Pal, also the World 10K Bengaluru 2025 winner, returns with strong ambitions. Known for his explosive finishing kick, Abhishek previously clinched the Indian elite crown at the World 25K in 2022 and is eager to reclaim it.

Maharashtra’s rising talent Kiran Matre, who has collected national titles and event records while regularly featuring on podiums at the Delhi Half Marathon and World 10K Bengaluru, adds further excitement. He is joined by Gaurav Mathur, a two-time World 25K podium finisher and a sharp tactical racer.

With five in-form athletes who have set national, meet, or event records in the last year and a half, the men’s race promises high-intensity action from Howrah to the Maidan.

The women’s field is equally compelling, headlined by defending champion Sanjivani Jadhav. A dominant force in Indian long-distance running, Sanjivani, a two-time event winner (2022, 2024) with multiple international victories, arrives in peak form after a strong season. “With the Asian Games round the corner, I am looking forward to clocking a good time here,” Sanjivani said.

Her challengers include Seema, the Indian elite winner of the 2025 Delhi Half Marathon and a South Asian Championships silver medallist. She is among the fastest Indian women over 5000 m and 10,000 m this year. Also in contention is Lili Das, the middle-distance star who has transitioned strongly to road racing, winning titles at the Delhi Half Marathon and setting a personal best at last year’s World 25K. Her speed over shorter distances makes her a formidable contender.

Thakor Nirmaben Bharatjee, the 2025 Mumbai Marathon Indian elite champion, brings marathon strength that makes her a dangerous dark horse. Bhagirathi, a new-age marathon specialist with victories in Delhi and Hyderabad, further deepens the women’s field