This one is not for the faint of hearts. So, brace up in anticipation of the throbbing footsteps that come calling from around the world to confluence in Kolkata as TSK 25K only in its fourth year goes international! Come December 17, Kolkatans will have a red letter date as the Red Road literally enters the history books as the track for India’s first and only international venue for the distance.

An international run brings along with it recognition, status and becomes a part of the race calendar for the elite athletes from around the world to come to a new country to compete, and captivate them with their speed and elegance. It also gives the professional distance runners from India the valuable opportunity of measuring themselves to international standards. The race itself will have facelifts at various levels.

If the first three years saw the TSK 25K grow bigger and better with the participation touching the 10,000 barrier; this year will focus on a strong international elite field with road runners and specialists for this distance taking the start-line. The event will also boast of a raised prize purse of USD 1,00,000 which is a huge fillip from the previous editions. For the first time, the event will be Live on TV giving a unique opportunity for sports enthusiasts from across the region to view the magic of Kolkata come alive.

Speaking on the occasion, Chanakya Chaudhary, Group Director, Corporate Communication & Regulatory Affairs, Tata Steel, said: "TSK25 has grown from strength to strength ever since we launched the run three years ago. The enthusiastic support we have received from the people of this city has prompted us to make the event more inclusive and global. This year will be the first international edition of TSK25. It will also be the first-ever 'International' running competition in Kolkata. It is not only an opportunity for running enthusiasts to compete with international runners but also for fitness enthusiasts to be part of the first-ever International run in Kolkata. The event is on 17th Dec'17 and we look forward to participation in large numbers".

Talking about his association, Face of the event Sourav Ganguly said: “This is a proud moment for Kolkata, we have set benchmarks in many fields and this is our chance to raise the bar when it comes to distance running. We have already shown tremendous enthusiasm for the 25K run, I am sure we will leave the international athletes mighty impressed with the force and verve we will display in this edition. I urge all the citizens to come forward in huge numbers and register for the fourth edition of the TSK25K and be part of this running movement.” 

To mark the occasion of truly turning this event into an international sporting extravaganza, Procam International is proud to present Mike Powell as the international ambassador for the event. Mike, who still holds the record in long jump he set in 1991, is a living legend and one of the true-blue track and field specialists to walk this planet.

“It is absolutely exciting for me to be the first event ambassador for the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K.I think, when communities come together and run as one there is a sense of belonging that is inculcated in each of those runners, and that feeling is often the best runner’s high that there is! To be able to go out there and run a 5K, 10k or a 25K, is very difficult and to have that kind of determination is just amazing. India is a beautiful country filled with warm affable people. I had the good luck of visiting the country thrice, but to come to Kolkata, the cultural capital of the country and the city of Mother Teresa, is special. I hope my presence is an added motivation to all the participants and would like to wish everyone good luck,” Mike said in his message. 

NEW SPONSORS: To make any sporting event a grand success, it is imperative to have like-minded sponsors on board and this year two new brands have extended their association with the event. India’s leading mineral water brand Bisleri has come on board as the Hydration Partner and Harmony, as the Institution partner.

As the hydration partner across all Procam races, Bisleri has extended their association with the TSK25K. Bisleri will be responsible for all water requirements of the runners participating in the event and will set up water stations across the course to ensure that they are well hydrated.

"With consumers, increasingly realising the importance of active lifestyle, Bisleri would like to emphasize the importance of water for leading a healthy lifestyle. Hydration as a subject is neglected in sports until now in India. Associating with Procam International gives us an ideal platform to connect with the consumers, educate them about the importance of right hydration and let our consumers know that we care for their health. It is important to adopt a correct hydration strategy, especially during endurance runs as not just dehydration, even over hydration is a serious problem and can adversely impact runner's health and performance." - Anjana Ghosh, Director, Marketing, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

Harmony-Celebrate Age is India’s premier lifestyle and empowerment publication for people above 55. The voice and flagship initiative of Tina Ambani’s Harmony for Silvers Foundation, the magazine seeks to promote active, independent ageing in every sphere. The Senior Citizens’ Runs supported by Harmony at the Tata Mumbai Marathon, Airtel Delhi Half Marathon and TCS World 10K Bengaluru have become calendar events for the seniors and now, Harmony is delighted to come on board as an institutional partner to support the category at the TSK 25K.

Commenting on the association, Tina Ambani Chairperson, Harmony for Silvers Foundation, said, “The Senior Citizens’ Runs supported by Harmony showcase the tremendous potential of India’s senior citizens and bring them from the fringes to centre-stage. After Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, we are delighted to support silver power in Kolkata, the City of Joy!”

PUMA’s Shoe Collection Initiative: As part of PUMA's endeavor to give back to the community, PUMA announced a Shoe Collection Initiative in association with Goonj. Under this initiative, starting November 2017, customers can drop their used shoes at PUMA stores across 12 cities. These can be sports/casual shoes of any brand but should be in a condition such that the recipient can use it.  All the collected shoes will be given to Goonj, a social enterprise focused to work on improving accessibility to basic needs like clothing, education and sanitary pads while changing the dynamics of giving & receiving with dignity. Goonj will further channelize these shoes to rural India and eventually help many others set their feet on the ground in comfort. According to various studies and reports, more than half of rural population in India don’t have access to proper shoes. This initiative from PUMA creates a platform to help in this need.

PUMA Race Day & Finishers Tee: All the 25K confirmed participants will get the exclusive PUMA Race Day Tee, while the first 825 male finishers and 150 female finishers in the Open 10K will receive PUMA Finishers Tee.

Abhishek Ganguly, MD, PUMA India, said “We are excited to be associated with Tata Steel Kolkata 25K for the third time. Running has immense potential in India, and we want to do everything we can to nurture this ecosystem. Associations such as these are in line with our pursuit of encouraging more people to adopt a healthier lifestyle. 
He further added, “As the leading Sportswear Company in India, it is our responsibility to address the basic need of easy access to quality footwear. Our Shoe Collection initiative with Goonj is a step in this direction which has the aim of shoes for every foot”

Vivek Singh, JT. MD, Procam International, said: “We are pleased to take TSK 25K to the international level in only its fourth year. This was possible because of the enthusiasm we have seen from the people and the way the event has grown. We would like to extend our gratitude to Tata Steel for putting faith in our vision along with other partners who have stood by us through this journey. We would also like to acknowledge the state government’s undying support and help given by sports bodies, civic authorities, police and other law enforcement agencies. We hope this December 17 will be remembered as a red letter day in the sporting history of East India.”

Prasun Mukherjee, President, West Bengal Athletic Association, said: “We have been associated with TSK 25K from its inception and are proud to be a part of such a marquee event. While Procam International does a remarkable job they have raised the bar to dizzy heights by taking TSK 25K International. This will not only put Kolkata on the world map as a city that celebrates running and healthy lifestyle, but also give the athletes from India and Bengal a rare honour of brushing shoulders with the pool of international athletes who would run on December 17”.

RUNNER ENHANCEMENTS: TSK 25K endeavours to evolve and improve while providing the best possible running experience to each participant. With this in mind and to encourage the participation of serious runners, the event will give priority in line-up to confirmed applicants of the 25K Run and Open 10K Run category who have provided timing certificates along with their application forms. The line-up will be allocated based on the finish time mentioned on the timing certificates submitted at the time of applying. Detailed confirmation criterion is available on http://tsk25.procamrunning.in.

Come be a part of this sporting milieu with enthusiasm and vigour -  the world is coming to your door.

REGISTRATION DETAILS FOR TATA STEEL KOLKATA 2017