Kolkata, Dec 21 (NationPress) In a spectacular display at the World 25K marathon held here on Sunday, Joshua Cheptegei from Uganda showcased his prowess in the international elite men’s race, but the spotlight was firmly on India’s Gulveer Singh and Seema, who both established new course records in their respective elite divisions.

Cheptegei, a double Olympic champion, took control early in the race, setting the pace from the very start and maintaining it throughout. He finished in a time of 1:11:49, marking his first title victory, outpacing Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Siumbu (1:11:56) and Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana (1:11:59) in a fiercely contested podium finish. Although he did not break the course record of 1:11:13 set by Daniel Simiu Ebenyo in 2023, Cheptegei’s impressive performance solidified his dominance over the event. Throughout the race, the trio remained tightly grouped, with only seconds separating them at the 15 km and 20 km marks. However, Cheptegei pulled away in the last four kilometers, leaving a lasting impression on the course.

Cheptegei remarked, “Winning was more important than the record for me. Returning to Kolkata and achieving victory is special. Having previously won in Bangalore, this race with world-class athletes is a significant confidence booster as I prepare for my next marathon.”

In the international elite women’s race, Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw delivered an outstanding performance, dethroning defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede. Competing on the Kolkata course for the third time, Azimeraw, who won in 2017 and finished fourth the following year, broke away decisively, leading from start to finish with a time of 1:19:36. Sutume finished second in 1:20:28, while Meselech Alemayehu secured third place, completing an Ethiopian clean sweep in 1:20:48. Despite Azimeraw's victory, the course record remained with Sutume. From the outset, Degitu demonstrated her intent to seize control of the race, consistently leading the pack at the 10, 15, and 20 km marks and ultimately finishing a significant 500 meters ahead of her closest competitor.

Post-race, Degitu expressed, “I didn’t plan this beforehand; it was a bit crazy. Initially, my legs felt stiff, but after 10 km, I found my rhythm and began to increase my speed, leading to my victory. I’m very pleased.”

The Indian elite races provided some of the most riveting stories of the day. Gulveer Singh executed a remarkable run, shattering his own Indian course record by over two minutes. With smooth strides, Gulveer took the lead early on, briefly contending with the international elite before finishing strong in 1:12:06. He surpassed his previous record of 1:14:10 set in 2024, highlighting his impressive progress over the last two seasons. Harmanjot Singh (1:15:11) and Sawan Barwal (1:15:25) followed him onto the podium. From the beginning, Gulveer ran with a different level of intensity, maintaining a minute’s lead over his closest rival from the 15 km mark, which eventually extended to two minutes. By the time he crossed the 21.1 km mark, he recorded a time of 01:00:58, compared to Harmanjot’s 01:03:17.

Reflecting on his win, the Asian long-distance double gold medallist said, “Records aren’t achieved overnight. They stem from consistency. With robust support, dedicated coaches, and relentless training, my only goal is to improve daily. I don’t limit myself with ceilings. Diet, exercise, and rest are my priorities. Progress takes time; there are no shortcuts. India is ascending, step by step, race by race. This journey is long, and I’m just at the beginning.”

Equally impressive was Seema’s victory in the Indian elite women’s category. Running with both control and confidence, the previous year’s Asian Cross-country Champion and a silver medallist at the World University Games this summer, raced to a finish of 1:26:04, breaking the Indian course record of 1:26:53 set by Suriya L in 2017. The margin of victory was significant, with Sanjivani Jhadav finishing second in 1:30:34, over four minutes behind, and Nirmaben Thakor third in 1:32:02. Seema appeared so composed at the finish that she still had energy left, underscoring her preparation and expertise. From the start, she had a minute’s lead over Sanjivani, which grew to a minute and a half by the 15 km mark and over two minutes by the 20 km mark. By the time she reached the 21.1 km mark, the gap to her nearest competitor was three minutes, allowing her to finish strong and break an eight-year-old record.

Discussing her race, Seema stated, “The course has been changed, making it more challenging. I came with the mindset to win, and I’m thrilled to have set the course record. Had the course been as it was previously, I believe I could have performed even better. Winning requires discipline and sacrifice, which I take seriously as an athlete. My next goal is to qualify for the Asian and Commonwealth Games next year.”