For the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, which is set for Sunday, December 21, 2025, Procam International, the organizers of the first World Athletics Gold Label Road racing, has guaranteed flawless execution and an improved racing experience. At the press conference, which took place at the Media Centre on the famous Red Road, information about the race course, medical facilities, and the plans for more than 23,000 participants—both in person and virtually—were highlighted.

The race route picture was unveiled at the Technical Press Conference by Mandar Pandya-Vice President & Head Operations, Procam International; Samik Bhattacharya – Additional OC , Kolkata Police; Kamal  Kumar Maitra , Secretary, West Bengal Athletic Association; COL Amit Yadhav – COL GS, Bengal Sub Area, Indian Army; Hugh Jones – Race Director; Sanjukta Dutta- Emergency Head , Fortis Hospital and Medical Director; Vivek Singh, Jt. MD, Procam International and Prasanta Saha- Regional Director, Procam International.

The USD 142,214 prize money event is still dedicated to giving equal prize money to victors who are men and women. Additionally, setting the world record of 1:11:08 will earn you an extra prize of USD 25,000 for the 10th edition. The top three amateur runners in the men’s and women’s divisions across various age groups will also get prizes of Rs 35,000, Rs 25,000, and Rs 10,000, respectively.  From 5:30 am onwards, Race Day events will be broadcast live on Sony Sports 1 HD & SD.

On-ground + Virtual Run Category-Wise Breakup

25K – 6,927

Open 10K – 8,068

Ananda Run – 6,066

Senior Citizens Run – 1,815

Champions with Disability – 450

All five race categories will begin and end at Red Road for the 2025 edition due to an early start and favorable weather in Kolkata. With the help of city officials, the course has been redesigned because Vidyasagar Setu is closed on Sundays due to ongoing work. Running farther south will allow participants to see new parts of the city, pass new sites like Rabindra Sarobar and Tipu Sultan Mosque, and face a new obstacle at the Lakes Flyover.

The following amenities will be offered at the beginning and end of the course for the convenience of the participants:

• A total of 78,000 liters of Bisleri water will be supplied at 12 water stops along the route. 
• There will be nine water stations along the way.
•  1 holding Area at Rangers Ground
• 1 water station post-finish
•  1 post-refreshment
• FAST&UP will have 5 stations and 1 gel station along the route.
• 4 stations along the route
• 1 post-finish station
• 1 gel station on the route

Additionally, there will be 1 Red Bull station, 2 Chikki stations will be set up along the route for runners, 3 Orange & Salt stations on route and 2 Ice stations on route and 1 Post Finish.

Nearly 200 medical experts, including emergency physicians, orthopaedics, nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, and support personnel, will be deployed by Fortis Hospital. The other facilities are:

• 1 Holding Area Medical station (Rangers ground)
• 8 Medical station on route
• 1 Post Finish (Base Camp) – University ground
• 1 Medical station Post Refreshment – University ground
• 1 Medical station at SCR Tent
•  1 Medical station at CWD Tent
• 14 Ambulances
• 1 Medical station for elite (Post Finish)
• 30 trained spotters monitoring the final 1 km stretch

The sustainability efforts at this race include:

• Participants are encouraged to bring their own bottle (BYOB) and refill at hydration stations throughout the venue to reduce single-use plastic.
• Online registrations, digital confirmations and event communications, and digital participant handbooks are all part of the 100% Waste-Managed Event.
• Participant kits are distributed without plastic packaging, using eco-friendly materials whenever possible.
• In order to reduce waste from single-use bags, the Expo offers reusable cloth or backpack bags.
• Flex and banners used for branding will be recycled into roofing sheets, medium sheets for street vendors, and shopping bags for underprivileged communities.
• Effective recycling and composting are ensured via designated bins for dry, Tetra Pak, PET, and organic waste.
• To promote soil health, all wet waste will be gathered and composted by approved partners.
• During the Expo and race day, all paper and cardboard waste will be recycled.
• In order to ensure responsible resource use and promote local greenery, water leftover from partially drank bottles will be carefully collected and used to water the surrounding plants.
• Utilizing LED and digital boards to reduce printed materials for all messages related to significant events.
• To encourage people to ride their bikes to the event, bicycle stands will be available at Town Ground and the YMCA.
• NGOs like Little Sisters of the Poor will distribute any extra edible food to the less fortunate.
• To better understand the ecological impact of the event and support conservation efforts, a biodiversity survey is carried out to record and evaluate the nearby flora and animals.
• Every sustainability project is created in accordance with World Athletics regulations. In order to acknowledge their dedication to ethical and environmentally responsible activities, World Athletics also assesses these initiatives and issues an official sustainability ranking for the event.

Priyanka Dutta