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 inspiring stories of discipline, courage, and transformation to guide thousands of runners on Sunday, December 21.
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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 overcome personal battles to embrace running, to professionals balancing 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 ideal pace leaders for this milestone year.
Among the inspiring 10K pacers is Roshni Guhathakurta, born with bilateral clubfoot, who relied on major corrective surgeries just to walk. Today, she is a CESC Deputy Manager, a mother of an 8-year-old, and 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 mother of two, will lead the 75-minute bus pace, while ophthalmologist and dedicated runner Dr. Saswati Biswas will head the 60-minute group.
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 is now 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 pace 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 (10 km)
Alina Goperma Sherpa – 58 min
Dr. Saswati Biswas – 60 min
Uma Devi Sharma (Kalyani, West Bengal) – 65 min
Jyoti Saboo – 70 min
Shobha Agarwal – 75 min
Chanda Ahuja – 75 min
Namrata Agarwal – 80 min
Roshni Guhathakurta – 85 min
Priyanti Dutta – 88 min
(All pacers from Kolkata)
Defence Forces Pacers (25 km)
Manpreet Singh (Kolkata) – 2:00 hrs
Kartikay Pandey (New Delhi) – 2:05 hrs
Ram Mohan (Punjab) – 2:10 hrs
Ashish Dhingra (New Delhi) – 2:15 hrs
Gurmeet Raturi (New Delhi) – 2:20 hrs
Chanambam Ruhikanta Singh (Kanpur) – 2:25 hrs
Lalit Kumar Tiwari (New Delhi) – 2:30 hrs
Paramjeet Yadav (Rewari) – 2:35 hrs
Bapai Bhattacharyya (Kolkata) – 2:40 hrs
Gaurav Srivastav (Lucknow) – 2:45 hrs
Dr. Ratandeep Singh (New Delhi) – 2:45 hrs
Sanjeev Kumar (Kolkata) – 2:50 hrs
Vidyasagar Mehta (New Delhi) – 2:55 hrs
The Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata will be broadcast live on Sony Sports 1 and Sony Sports 1 HD on December 21 from 5:30 am onwards.