The landmark 10th edition of the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, the world’s first World Athletics Gold Label 25K road race promoted by Procam International, will feature an extraordinary lineup of 22 pacers, each bringing a powerful story of discipline, courage, and transformation to guide thousands of runners on Sunday, December 21.
This year’s pacer group is as diverse and inspiring as the participants themselves. From Armed Forces personnel who have served the nation across borders, to women who have conquered personal battles to embrace running, to professionals juggling demanding careers with a passion for fitness, the 10th edition showcases individuals who embody the #DecadeOfDifference spirit that Tata Steel World 25K stands for. Their journeys mirror the evolution of Kolkata’s running culture, making them the perfect pace leaders for this milestone year.
Among the inspiring 10K pacers is Roshni Guhathakurta, who was born with bilateral clubfoot and once relied on major corrective surgeries just to walk. Today, the CESC Deputy Manager and mother of an 8-year-old is an accomplished marathon and ultra runner, having transformed her life from a sedentary routine to one defined by fitness and resilience. She will lead the 85-minute bus pace.
Entrepreneur and Chandagini founder Chanda Ahuja, a proud mother of two, will lead the 75-minute bus pace, while ophthalmologist and devoted runner Dr. Saswati Biswas will head the 60-minute group.
Also joining the lineup is Kolkata’s Manpreet Singh, the fastest pacer in the 25K category, who will lead the 2:00-hour bus. From New Delhi, Kartikay Pandey, who transformed himself from 95 kg to 77 kg during the pandemic and now stands as a podium finisher, will inspire runners as he leads the 2:05-hour bus. Adding to this remarkable roster is Kolkata’s Bapai Bhattacharyya, a Kargil War veteran and Comrades Marathon Bronze Medalist, whose extraordinary grit strengthens the pacing team; he will be pacing the 2:40-hour bus.
“Pacing is a selfless act, and as we celebrate the 10th edition of the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, our pacers truly reflect the heart and soul of this event. From the discipline of the Defence Forces leading the 25K to the inspiring all-women team pacing the 10K, this year’s lineup embodies courage, diversity, and community spirit,” said Vivek Singh, Jt. MD, Procam International.
Women 10K Pacers (10km)
Alina Goperma Sherpa (Bus Time: 58min); Dr.Saswati Biswas (Bus Time:60min); Uma Devi Sharma (Bus Time:65 min) (Kalyani, West Bengal); Jyoti Saboo (Bus Time:70 min) Shobha Agarwal (Bus Time:75m); Chanda Ahuja (Bus Time:75 min); Namrata Agarwal (Bus Time:80min); Roshni Guhathakurta (Bus Time:85 min); Priyanti Dutta (Bust Time:88 min) (All pacers from Kolkata).
Defence Forces Pacers (25km)
Manpreet Singh (Bust Time: 02:00hrs) (Kolkata); Kartikay Pandey (Bus Time: 02:05 hrs) (New Delhi); Ram Mohan (Bus Time: 02:10) (Punjab); Ashish Dhingra (Bus Time: 02:15hrs) (New Delhi); Gurmeet Raturi (Bus Time: 02:20) (New Delhi); Chanambam Ruhikanta Singh (Bus Time: 02:25 hrs) (Kanpur); Lalit Kumar Tiwari (Bus Time: 02:30 hrs) (New Delhi); Paramjeet Yadav (Bus Time: 02:35 hrs) (Rewari); Bapai Bhattachharyya (Bus Time: 02:40 hrs) (Kolkata); Gaurav Srivastav (Bus Time: 02:45 hrs) (Lucknow); Dr. Ratandeep Singh (Bus Time: 02:45 hrs) (New Delhi); Sanjeev Kumar (Bus Time: 02:50 hrs) (Kolkata); Vidyasagar Mehta (Bus Time: Bus Time: 02:55 hrs) (New Delhi).
The Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata will be telecast live on Sony Sports 1 and Sony Sports 1 HD on December 21 from 5:30 am onwards.
