The number of participants in the longer segments of eastern India’s biggest road race is on the rise.
The eighth edition of Tata Steel Kolkata 25K, partnered by The Telegraph, to be held this Sunday, has had 17,557 registrations, the highest ever, Metro reported on Wednesday.
Of the total participants, 10,809 have registered for the 25km and 10km segments, according to the organisers of the event. It translates to around 62 per cent.
In the first few editions, the percentage of runners in the 10km and 25km segments taken together would be less than 40 per cent, the organisers said.
“The other marathons in India have been there for much longer. Mumbai Marathon, for example, is nearly 20 years old. Calcutta is the youngest kid on the block. But the progression has been very encouraging. When we first came, there was no running group in Calcutta. Now, there are 40-plus,” said Vivek Singh, joint managing director of Procam International, the promoters of the event who organise marathons in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and other cities.
In 2014, in the first edition of the TSK 25K, there were around 5,500 participants, he said.
Singh said 17,000 turning up for TSK was equivalent to a much larger number going to a stadium to watch a team game.
“Calcutta is no stranger to big sporting events. But this (TSK 25K) is unique. Here, the stars are the common participants. 17,000 is like one lakh in a stadium, where you can just buy a ticket and enter. Here, you have trained for months. You have sacrificed a dessert, a drink, an hour of your sleep. So that on December 17 morning, you can be on Red Road. This is the power of participative sport. Very few people understand this,” he said.
“The numbers are very encouraging. Now, the focus shifts from attracting runners to managing the number of runners that can safelyand comfortably fit in the course,” said Hugh Jones, race director.
The route is unchanged and attractive and provides an extra advantage.
The course of TSK 25K, which starts and ends on Red Road, covers some of the majestic sights of the city such as the Eden Gardens, Victoria Memorial, Park Street, Vidyasagar Setu, Prinsep Ghat and the Fort William golf course.
“It is a very flat and fast course. The only uphill and downhill stretches are the flyovers. International league runners coming to compete here do look at setting records,” said Jones.
During a media interaction on Wednesday, the organisers shared the arrangements that would be in place on the race day.
Sanjukta Dutta, medical director and head of emergency, Fortis Hospital, spoke on the medical arrangements.
“We will be setting up base camps for the safety of all the runners. ICU ambulances, medical centres and ICU camps will be set up at the venue. Medical staff will accompany the runners to tackle any emergency. I would request the runners to stay hydrated. They should take care of themselves and not push too much if there is any discomfort,” she said.
Yeilwad Shrikant Jagannathrao, deputy commissioner, traffic, south Calcutta, said the authorities will take all steps needed for the smooth conduct of the event. “The traffic department is ready to provide all the support.”
MLA and mayoral council member Debasish Kumar called TSK the “pride of Calcutta”.
