Sutume Kebede and Daniel Simiyu Ebenyo stole the limelight at the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K Marathon 2023, clinching top honours in the International Elite Category and setting event records. Ebenyo, a two-time world championship silver medalist from Kenya, clocked an impressive 01:11:13, adding to his triumph at the Vedanta Half Marathon in Delhi this year.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian sensation, Kebede, secured her place in history with a remarkable finish of 01:18:47 in the International Female Elite Category.
Not to forget, Yalemzerf Yehualaw, the second-best in the world for half marathons, did it in 01:19:26 and got second place. Betty Kibet, aiming for the Paris Olympics, bagged the third spot in the Female Elite category with a timing of 01:21:43.
In the Male Elite Category, Victor Togom emerged as the runner-up, clocking 01:12:26, while Tesfaye Demeke secured the third position with a podium finish of 01:13:36.
The brilliance extended to Indian athletes who showcased their prowess on the challenging course. Reshma Kevate dominated the Indian Elite Female Category with an outstanding time of 01:30:38, followed closely by Seema (01:32:07) and Nirmaben Bharatjee (01:32:40), securing the second and third positions, respectively.
Sawan Barwal claimed the top spot in the Indian Elite Male Category with an impressive time of 01:17:49. Gaurav Mathur secured the second position, clocking 01:20:33, while MD Aseem completed the podium with a finish time of 01:42:08.
The Tata Steel Kolkata 25K Marathon, held on the iconic Red Road in Kolkata, witnessed an impressive turnout of 17,557 runners on a chilly Sunday morning with temperatures dropping to 14 degrees Celsius. Renowned Welsh 110m hurdles world record holder Colin Jackson served as the International Ambassador of the event, cheering the runners at the starting line. He was later joined by former Indian Women Cricketer, Jhulan Goswami.
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Both were amazed by the substantial number of participants, particularly noting the significant female representation in the event. The enthusiasm and energy of the runners added a vibrant spirit to the marathon.
Beyond the elite categories, the event celebrated inclusivity, with the Silver Run for participants above 60 years of age demonstrating exceptional courage and dedication. Additionally, the Champions With Disability category, a non-timed segment, offered disabled individuals the opportunity to revel in the joy of running.
What stood out was the sheer passion exhibited by those above the age of 60 choosing to participate in the challenging 10K category. In a generation often pressed for time, these individuals showed true love for running in the Tata Steel Kolkata Marathon.
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