Kolkata: India’s professional athletes, serious runners, and health and fitness enthusiasts have reason to rejoice as the charming capital of West Bengal gets its very own distance-running event - the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K. As India’s Premier 25K run, the event will give thousands of individuals a new opportunity to celebrate the birth of a sporting event that salutes perseverance and self-belief and makes lives brighter and better.
Kolkata’s runners can now lace up and join the running revolution that is not just engulfing India’s towns and cities but attracting the attention of the world’s finest runners.
Present at the launch were Sultan Ahmed – Working President, West Bengal Athletic Association (WBAA), , Vice-President AFI, Debashish Roy – IPS, Additional Commissioner of Police, Sunil Bhaskaran – Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, Somdeb Basu, Brand Director, Reebok India, dignitaries from Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Kolktata Police along with Event Promoters Procam International represented by Jt. MD, Vivek Singh. It was announced that for the first time ever, the city would play host to a world class Tata Steel Kolkata 25K on Sunday, December 28, 2014.
Eminent and renowned sports personalities including Saraswati Saha Dey, Asiad Gold Medalist , Kuntal Roy – Dronacharya Awardee , Sanjay Ray, Asian Gold Medalist, Chuni Gowsami - Padamshree, Arjuna Awardee , Arun Ghosh - Arjuna Awardee, Bula Chowdhury - Arjuana Awardee ( Swimming), Dibyendu Barua, Grand Master - Chess , Arjuna Awardee, Charles Borromeo - Padmasree, Asiad Gold Medalist were also present at the launch.
As a test of fitness and endurance - both physical and emotional – the TSK 25K will focus on Indian running talent, giving professional and amateur men and women from Kolkata and around the country a proven platform to showcase their talent and experience the rarified atmosphere that pervades a sporting event.
Race categories include the 25K (elite and amateurs), Open 10K (amateurs), Ananda Run (6 km), Sr. Citizens’ Run (4 km), and Champions with Disability (4 km). The 25K and Open 10K are compulsorily timed race categories, certifying a runners’ timing and recognized in running circles throughout the world.
The 25K in distance running events is a relatively new category being promoted by Procam International. As India’s first 25K to be organized on this grand scale, the city of Kolkata will soon join a privileged list of cities that host road based distance-running events in this unique category.
Announcing the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K, Sunil Bhaskaran – Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel said, “We are delighted to announce our association with the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K, an event that will make Eastern India proud in the years to come. At Tata Steel, sports is a way of life and we firmly believe that as the city’s very first distance running platform, this event will grow into one that will bring individuals and communities together, inspire confidence and hope, and help support a noble cause. We urge the people of Kolkata and beyond to come and experience the joy of running this December.”
Speaking about the 1st edition of the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K, Vivek Singh, Jt. MD, Procam International said, “We are pleased that the beautiful city of Kolkata will finally host its own distance running event with pride. As East India’s Premier Distance Running Event, we are confident that the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K will develop into an iconic sporting and social event that embodies the amazing spirit of this city and draws participation from a wide cross section of people. Kolkata, this is your chance to come forth and shine!"
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Chandrasekar Radhakrishnan, Head Of Communication, Nestlé India said,”The Tata Steel Kolkata 25K run encourages people to lead an active life and Nestlé India is happy to be associated with it. Nestlé encourages physical activity and balanced diets, which are two very important ingredients for health. We hope that this run and Nestlé’s association with it as a Nutrition , Health and Wellness Company will motivate more and more people to live healthier.
With the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K, Procam International that has pioneered distance running in India and established world-class events in the cities of Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore - has entered Kolkata. The organization is India’s leading sports promoter involved in the promotion of national and international sporting events, sports consultancy and live television programming.
About 15,000 people are expected to be a part of this momentous event, participating in the five events of the day. The route for TSK 25K is in the process of being finalized under the guidelines set by the West Bengal Athletic Association and Kolkata Traffic Police.
Film actor, producer and television presenter Jeet, well known for his passion for fitness, will be TSK 25K’s ‘Face of the Event’. Speaking about the event, Jeet said, “I’m thrilled to come together with the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K in its very first edition as the Face of the Event! I have heard about the energy and enthusiasm that pervades running events in Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru and can’t wait to experience the same in Kolkata. The difference running can make to one’s life is unimaginable. Kolkata, let’s register to run in our very own 25K and put the city on the world running map. All the best!”
Prize Money: In its first edition, the event will recognize the efforts of participants by offering total prize money of Rs. 21,54,000. The top ten Elite athletes (men and women) in the 25K category stand to win attractive prizes. While the winner will receive Rs. 2,50,000, Rs. 1,75,000 is up for grabs for second place while third place finishers will receive Rs. 1,00,000. Dividing amateur runners into six segments based on their age – 18 to under 30, 30 to under 40, 40 to under 50, 50 to under 60, 60 to under 70, and 70 and above - TSK Kolkata 25K will also award the top three amateur runners (men and women) in each of the above segments with prizes of Rs. 12,000, 10,000 and 5,000 respectively.
Sponsors: Tata Steel, one of India’s most respected brands, is the Title Sponsor of the event.
Joining them are esteemed brands such as The Oberoi Grand - Hospitality Partner, Reebok - Sportswear and Training Partner, Himalayan - Water Partner, Nestle - Food and Beverage Partner, and Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM – Radio Partner, drawing attention to the trust and belief organizations are placing in the inaugural Tata Steel Kolkata 25K.
Registration Process: Applications forms are available through the event website www.tsk25.procamrunning.in for download apart from select Reebok Stores in Kolkata. Kolkata residents can also deposit their entry forms with the requisite entry fees in drop boxes at Reebok Stores in Kolkata (between 11 am & 6 pm): (1) 375, Prince Anwar Shah Road, South City Mall, Shop No S115, Kolkata700068; (2) 15/3, Chowringhee Road, Kolkata700013 (Below Grand Hotel); (3) 7B Middleton Street, Kolkata700071 (Opp Vardhan Market); (4) City Centre, Shop No A0008, New Town Rajarhat, Kolkata 700156; (5) City Centre 1, Salt Lake, Shop noF51/F52, Kolkata 700064.
Group Entries (20 or above applications) can be deposited along with requisite application fees and covering letter at the Registration office. Please call the event helpline on +919867722855 (10 am to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday) or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for submission of forms. Applicable only for Ananda Run, Sr. Citizens’ Run and Champions with Disability race categories.
Endeavoring to evolve and improve while providing the best possible running experience to each participant and in order to encourage the participation of serious runners, the event will give priority in lineup to confirmed applicants of either 25K Run or Open 10K Run category who have provided timing certificates along with their application forms. Lineup will be allocated based on the finish time mentioned on the timing certificates submitted at the time of applying. Detailed confirmation criterion is available on the event website.
The 25K and Open 10K runs will be prioritized in three line up sections on race day as per the timing certificate submitted along with applications. Runners of a 10 km run finished under 1 hr 20 min, half marathon finished under 2 hrs 55 min, 25 km run finished under 3 hr 30 min, and marathon finished under 6 hrs 5 min will be allocated Section A in both race categories. Runners will be allocated Section B and C based on a first come first serve on race day.
