Ebenyo and Kebede Set to Defend Their Titles at Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata

Kolkata, Dec 3 (NationPress) Defending champions Daniel Ebenyo (Kenya) and Sutume Kebede (Ethiopia) are set to return and defend their titles in the world's premier World Athletics Gold Label 25K Race, the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, taking place on December 15.

The current men's event record is held by Daniel Ebenyo, with a time of 1:11:13, while the women's record belongs to Sutume Kebede, clocking in at 1:18:47.

Kolkata will showcase some of the finest athletes globally at this race, which boasts a prize purse of USD 1,42,214. Both male and female winners will receive equal prize money, with the top three finishers each competing for USD 15,000, USD 10,000, and USD 7,000, respectively. An additional bonus of USD 5,000 will be awarded for setting a new event record.

The 2024 women's roster also features Desi Jisa from Bahrain, who triumphed in the 2022 race. Jisa was part of the Bahraini squad that clinched a bronze medal at the World Cross-country Championships in 2017 and finished second in the recent Doha (2023) and Seoul (2024) marathons.

"I am always excited to return to Kolkata and am thrilled to be part of the Tata Steel World 25K in 2024," Jisa expressed, marking her return after a year's hiatus.

Another past champion from Kolkata, Degitu Azimeraw (2017), also hails from Ethiopia. Earlier this year, she won the Barcelona Marathon with a time of 2:19:52. Following a maternity break, she made a stunning comeback to finish sixth in the recent Chicago Marathon in October, making her a standout contender in Kolkata. Her fellow Ethiopian, Alemaddis Eyayu, who won this year's Delhi Half Marathon, will be making her 25K debut.

Viola Chepngeno of Kenya, who secured third place in Delhi last year, and Ethiopia's Shintayehu Lewetegn, a bronze medalist in cross-country, have also confirmed their participation.

This year, Kebede set new personal bests in both the half marathon (1:04:37) and marathon (2:15:55), establishing initial world leads for 2024, setting the stage for a compelling competition among women athletes.

Daniel Ebenyo aims to improve upon his record of 1:11:13 from last year, which was just five seconds shy of his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge's 1:11:08 record while setting the World Record of 2:01:09 in the Berlin Marathon two years ago, to become the undisputed champion of the 25K.

"The roads in Kolkata are fast, and the conditions are perfect; it's an ideal chance for me to defend my title and improve my time," said reigning champion Ebenyo as he confirmed his entry for 2024.

Kenya's Benson Kipruto and Ethiopia's Haymanot Alew will enhance the men's field. Earlier this year, Kipruto won the Tokyo Marathon with a top season time of 2:02:16. He officially clocked 1:11:39 at 25K during that race and later won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics this summer.

Alew narrowly missed the podium in Kolkata last year but made up for it with a second-place finish in the Tata Mumbai Marathon a month later. The presence of Kipruto and Alew alongside Ebenyo suggests an exciting race in Bengal's capital this mid-December, building anticipation for remarkable performances.

Notable entries in the men's segment also include Stephen Kissa and Diriba Girma. Kissa, from Uganda, finished fifth in last year's World Championships Marathon in Budapest. Diriba, aged 21, is the younger sibling of multiple world championship medalist Lamecha Girma and is looking for a breakthrough in the road running circuit.

Commenting on this highly competitive international athlete lineup in the elite category, Vivek Singh, Joint MD of Procam International, stated, "The return of defending champions and course record holders Ebenyo and Kebede bodes well for the world's first World Athletics Gold Label 25K race, highlighting the event's increasing global prestige.

Amateur registrations across various categories have also reached new heights, reflecting the event's widespread appeal.

We wish all participants the best as they prepare for the challenge on Sunday, December 15th.

Over 20,000 amateurs from India and across the globe will participate in the ninth edition of the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata.

Elite Field for the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata 2024

Men

1. Daniel Ebenyo (KEN/1995) (25KM PB 1:11:13)

2. Benson Kipruto (KEN/1991) (HM PB 60:06)

3. Stephen Kissa (UGA/1988) (HM PB 58:56)

4. Haymanot Alew (ETH/1997) 1:13:44

5. Bravin Kiptoo (KEN/2001) (HM PB 59:37)

6. Samuel Kibet (UGA/2001) (HM PB 60:50)

7. Dejene Hailu (ETH/2003) (HM PB 61:16)

8. Teka Assefa (ETH) (HM PB 61:47)

9. Anthony Kipchirchir (KEN/2001) (HM PB 62:02)

10. Diriba Girma (ETH/2003) Debut

11. Alazar Tefera (ETH/2004) Debut

12. Asbel Rutto (KEN/2002) Debut

13. Bernard Cheptoch (UGA/1992) Debut

14. Emmanuel Kibet (UGA/2004) (PACER)

15. Rodgers Murei (KEN/2002) (PACER)

Women

1. Sutume Kebede (ETH/1999) (25KM PB 1:18:47)

2. Degitu Azimeraw (ETH/1999) (HM PB 66:07)

3. Desi Jisa (BRN/1997) (25KM PB 1:21:04)

4. Viola Chepngeno (KEN/2000) (HM PB 66:43)

5. Alemaddis Eyayu (ETH/1999) (HM PB 67:04)

6. Meseret Dinke (ETH/1996) (HM PB 69:53)

7. Annet Chelangat (UGA/1993) (HM PB 70:16)

8. Sintayehu Lewetegn (ETH/1996) (HM PB 70:23)

9. Misgane Alemayehu (ETH/2004) Debut

10. Thomas Higgs (GBR/1996) (PACER)

11. Abrham Kebede (ETH/1997) (PACER)