KOLKATA, India — Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei added another accolade to his legendary long-distance running career by winning gold in the men’s elite race at the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata 2025, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, on December 21, 2025.
The Ugandan superstar finished the race in 1:11:49, edging out Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu (1:11:56) and Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana (1:11:59) in a thrilling final stretch.
This was Cheptegei’s debut at the 25km distance, but he demonstrated his signature endurance and tactical speed, pulling away in the closing kilometres to secure victory. The race marked his second win on Indian soil in 2025, following his triumph at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru in April.
In the women’s elite race, Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw took the top spot with a finishing time of 1:19:36.
Reflecting on the year, Cheptegei tweeted that 2025 had been “a year full of important lessons,” citing his experiences in Tokyo and Amsterdam, including a personal best marathon time of 2:04:55. He described the Kolkata victory as “another building brick towards my next goal” and expressed gratitude to his family, coaches, team, and fans worldwide.
Cheptegei, who holds world records in the 5000m and 10,000m, continues to reinforce his status as one of the greatest long-distance runners in history. Following this win, he called India his ‘second home’, praising the country and its fans for their hospitality and support.
With victories at the Delhi Half Marathon, Bangalore 10K, and now the Kolkata 25K, Cheptegei closes out 2025 on a high note, looking ahead to more international competitions in 2026.