Kolkata, December 01, 2025: The 10th edition of the JBG Kolkata Marathon, presented by Jai Balaji Group and organised by Sportiz, unfolded at dawn with electrifying energy, marking a historic milestone in Kolkata’s sporting landscape. Widely celebrated as ‘A Decade of Dreams’, this year’s edition paid tribute to ten glorious years of endurance, aspiration and the city’s growing love for running—cementing its place as one of Eastern India’s most iconic mass-participation sporting events.
In a resounding testament to Kolkata’s indomitable spirit, over 10,000 runners took to the streets today, transforming Red Road, Maidan, and the adjoining stretches into a pulsating sea of colour, passion and purpose. From first-time runners to elite athletes, the city turned up in full force, proving once again that Kolkata doesn’t merely host a marathon—it lives it.
This year’s event featured a range of categories including the 21.1 Km Half Marathon, 10 Km Run, 5 Km, Cosplay Run, and the inspirational 3 Km Special Heroes Run for para-athletes, ensuring inclusivity and participation across diverse age groups and abilities. The 2025 edition also marked the debut of the marathon’s official theme anthem “Cholo Dourai”—a high-octane rock track composed as a tribute to Kolkata’s heartbeat. With lyrics echoing the city’s spirit of resilience, passion and movement, the song’s cadence matched the rhythm of thousands of footsteps—becoming the anthem of every runner who dared, dreamed, and ran.
The event was ceremonially flagged off by fitness icons Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar, alongside actress and endurance athlete Saiyami Kher, who not only inaugurated the event but also participated in the 21.1 Km Half Marathon. Adding to the inspiration quotient, Manoj Kumar Verma, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, joined the 10 Km run, embodying the message of a fitter and more spirited city. The gathering of sporting legends including Olympian archer Dola Banerjee and celebrated footballer Mehtab Hossain further elevated the event, igniting the runners’ spirits with their presence.
“In ten years, this marathon has evolved from a sporting event into a movement—one that reflects the soul of Kolkata. Every runner who stood at the start line today carried with them a piece of this city’s dreams. The JBG Kolkata Marathon will continue to fuel stories of courage, commitment and transformation in the years to come. And this journey has only just begun,” said Mr Gaurav Jajodia, Director, Jai Balaji Group.
“What we witnessed this morning was nothing short of extraordinary. Kolkata isn’t just running—it is redefining its identity. A decade ago, this was an aspiration; today, it’s a legacy. The runners, volunteers, partners and the city itself have created something timeless. The anthem ‘Cholo Dourai’ captures this emotion perfectly—it is not just a song, but a call to action,” said Nishant Maheshwari, CEO & Founder, Sportiz and the Race Director of JBG Kolkata Marathon.
The Half Marathon witnessed exceptional performances in both the men’s and women’s elite categories. In the Elite Men’s division, Prince Raj Yadav of Uttar Pradesh clinched first place with an impressive finish time of 1:03:30, followed closely by West Bengal’s Panchanan Bera at 1:03:38 and Sunil Kumar from Rajasthan securing third position at 1:03:42. The Elite Women’s category saw Uttar Pradesh’s Tamsi Singh claim the top spot with a finish time of 1:18:57, while Basanti Kumari of Jharkhand and Ekta from New Delhi finished second and third at 1:21:08 and 1:21:15 respectively, delivering strong and consistent performances.
The 10th JBG Kolkata Marathon concluded with celebrations, felicitation of runners and renewed hope for the future of distance running in the city. With its decade-long legacy strengthened, the marathon continues to stand as a testament to Kolkata’s growing love for fitness, resilience and shared achievement.
