In the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, a strong group of top international athletes, led by Leonard Barsoton and Ashete Bekere, are ready to establish their dominance on the well-maintained roads of the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K.

The course record bonus is worth USD 3000, while the prize money for the international champion is USD 7500.

Leonard Barsoton, a Kenyan who won the TSK 25K in 2019, expressed his gratitude for the invitation to the media in a statement. “I am hoping Sunday will be a terrific run because 2019 still seems like yesterday. I am proficient on all three surfaces—track, road, and country—but I am currently attempting to persuade my mind to concentrate on the road. I am all right now after my injury earlier this year”.

Leonard gained fame by winning the African Cross championship and two silver medals at the World Cross. He competed for Kenya in the 2020 World Championships Half Marathon in Gdynia, where he placed sixth.

The current Commonwealth Marathon Champion, Victor Kiplangat, will compete in the TSK 25K in Kolkata. Victor is a former mountain runner who won the World Mountain running junior title and medals at the senior level. “I am a mountain runner, and Birmingham was a little steep, which was good for me. But I am going to give it my all for this 25-kilometer run, which is on a level surface. I am ready, and I hope for a world record if possible”.

Ashete Bekere, who trains and lives in Sendafa near Addis Abeba with Birhanu Legese and Mersha Asrat and who won the Berlin and Rotterdam marathons in 2019 and 2018, as well as the Valencia Marathon in 2018, said: “After the Tokyo marathon in 2022 and the London marathon, my injuries are good so I am well prepared and I am hoping for a world record.”

“I have modified my training regimen because on track we go for small distances but the marathon is for long distances like 25k or 35k. The race is crucial for me as it is a stepping stone for moving ahead,” said Mercyline Chelangat, a half marathon national record holder for Uganda. She trains in Kapchorwa with Joshua Cheptegei’s squad under coach Addy Ruiter.

Tata Steel Kolkata 25km 2022 Elite Field

MEN

1. Leonard Barsoton (Kenya)
2. Victor Kiplangat (Uganda)
3. Birhanu Legese (Ethiopia)
4. Kebede Wami (Ethiopia)
5. Alfred Ngeno (Kenya)
6. Abel Sikowo (Uganda-PACE)
7. Abdisa Tola (Ethiopia)
8. Benard Cheptoch (Uganda-PACE)

WOMEN

1. Ashete Bekere (Ethiopia)
2. Desi Jisa (Bahrain)
3. Zeineba Yimer (Ethiopia)
4. Anchalem Haymanot (Ethiopia)
5. Mercyline Chelangat (Uganda)
6. Faith Chepkoech (Kenya)
7. Tigist Getnet (Ethiopia)
8. Obse Abdeta (Ethiopia)
9. Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia)