Date: December 15, 2024
Venue: Kolkata
Mood: The Perfect Prep for February’s Marathon!
Building Up to the TSW25K
Fresh off the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon in October and the Adani Ahmedabad Half Marathon in November, the Tata Steel World 25K slotted in beautifully as part of my progression toward the New Delhi Marathon in February 2025. But there was another reason—this was my first run in the East of India. Plus, with its reputation as a flat and fast route (it boasts the 2nd fastest 25K time)
| 1:11:13 | Daniel Ebenyo | Kenya | 17 December 2023 |
How could I resist? Kolkata’s charm had already lured me in. After all, aar ek run shuru hoyeche!
Training: A Slight Detour Through Heaven (a.k.a Wayanad and Coorg)
Training had been on track until December 1, when I decided to take a 10-day vacation to Wayanad and Coorg. Rest and recovery, I told myself. What I didn’t tell my legs was that they’d feel as heavy as a Taj Resort buffet post-vacation. I blame the coffee plantations and endless spice-laden dishes for my sleepy legs.
Honestly, the food alone was worth it. Whether it was piping hot dosas, coconut curry, or sipping freshly brewed filter coffee or JD on the rocks at sunset, those 10 days of indulgence added their own flavor to my prep. Worth every calorie, even if my quads screamed: Ki korli, bhai?
Travel to Kolkata: The Journey Before the Run
The journey to Kolkata was a mini-marathon itself: a 5-hour flight with a stopover in Ranchi (IXR to CCU). To top it off, I traveled in a tiny ATR flight that made me feel like a sardine in a can. Amar jibon e ekhono bhooter golpo shunte hobe, but ATR flight shuru kore dilo!
Once in Kolkata, nostalgia kicked in as I found a yellow Ambassador taxi (No refusal) waiting to whisk me away to the expo venue. Few things say “Kolkata” louder than an Ambassador on Park Street.
Expo: In and Out in 10 Minutes
The expo was your usual fare—brands, stalls, and crowds buzzing with race-day excitement. I kept it short and sweet: grabbed my bib, exchanged nods with Achal and Sachin from Mumbai-Thane, and made a beeline out in under 10 minutes. Efficiency matters—like a Bengali deciding the fastest route to the nearest roll-er dokan.
A Classic Kolkata Lunch: Flury’s on Park Street
Lunch was at the iconic Flury’s, a Park Street institution since 1927. With its old-world charm and legendary status, it felt only right to order the All-Day Vegan Breakfast. The menu included perfectly toasted bread, sautéed mushrooms, baked beans, roasted tomatoes, and tofu. The breakfast comes with a choice of Coffee or Darjeeling Tea. Simple, hearty, and ideal for a pre-race carb fix.
Of course, the customary race gear photo followed, and I hit the bed early—8:00 PM sharp. Call it strategy or just exhaustion.
Race Day: Perfect Morning, Imperfect Horns
Race morning was everything you’d wish for—13-14°C with a nip in the air. The holding area was large, the vibe electric, and the start was organized in waves (though, between us, the waves could’ve had staggered starts).
The hydration stations were frequent and well-stocked every 2 km, with water, electrolytes, and gels at the halfway mark (12.5K station). That said, traffic management needed improvement. The honking started early, turning the “City of Joy” into You Honk, O Boy!. Maybe next year, the race can start at paach-ta bela sharp—before Kolkata’s drivers start practicing their symphonies.
My Race: Flat Pacing and Sleepy Legs
Despite vacation legs, I locked into a rhythm early—stride length at 1.1-1.2 meters and cadence steady at 180-185. My goal was to manage HR, Stride Length and Cadence at Kolkatta.
Here are my splits:
| Segment | Time | Pace (min/km) | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split @ 5 Km | 00:24:14 | 04:51 | 12.4 km/h |
| Split @ 10 Km | 00:47:43 | 04:47 | 12.5 km/h |
| Split @ 12.5 Km | 00:59:56 | 04:48 | 12.5 km/h |
| Split @ 15 Km | 01:12:22 | 04:50 | 12.4 km/h |
| Split @ 20 Km | 01:37:42 | 04:54 | 12.2 km/h |
| Split @ 21.1 Km | 01:43:00 | 04:53 | 12.3 km/h |
| Full Course | 02:02:36 | 04:55 | 12.2 km/h |
The pacing was steady, but the second half could have been a bit faster. The drop in pace was just +0:16/km—not a disaster, but enough for me to mutter: Thakur, aar ek kilometer tahole thik hoye jabe!
Post-Run: Phuchkas and Kathi Rolls
Refueling post-race? Kolkata delivered. Lunch was beer, phuchkas and a veg kathi roll at Vardaan Market. The kicker? The rolls were just Rs. 40 each! Kolkata truly knows how to fill your heart and your stomach without emptying your wallet. Ekhon bujhlam, City of Joy mane ei!
Why You Should Run the TSW25K
The Tata Steel World 25K is a unique distance on a fantastic route—flat, fast, and filled with the energy of Kolkata’s streets. Whether you’re chasing a PR or just soaking in the vibe, this race deserves a spot on your running calendar.
As for me? Sleepy legs or not, I’m glad I ran. See you in February, New Delhi Marathon—I’ll be ready!
Shob bhalo jinish er moto, ekhon ektu mishti doi chai!
Great write-up! Although I haven’t had the chance to visit Kolkata or attend any marathon events there, reading your blog left me feeling a bit wistful. If all goes well, I hope to participate in a marathon sometime in the near future.
Your blog reminded me of my visits to Kolkata. It is a great feeling when run goes well, as per plan, when you enjoy the run. I feel you had a great run and a great short trip. Excellent.
With sleepy legs you managed such a fantastic race at the City Of Joy ( honking apart). I felt so nostalgic at the Yellow Taxi and Flurys on Park Street and the nippy winter weather! Great stride and cadence. Will run here one day and not just go as a tourist ( missed this race by a week of Vacation in Assam and 1 day in Kolkatta- the 25km fever was already visible on the route with huge posters) – Thanks for another nice post and honest details about the race
Khoob bhalo. Loved your write up. I actually lived your experience. And what amazing splits man and that too after JD indulgence. I’m sure Delhi would be amazing.