Start/Finish: Red Road, Maidan, Kolkata
The Tata Steel Kolkata 25K (TSK 25K) is widely regarded as one of the fastest courses in India. Flat, wide, and steeped in history, it offers a unique tour of the “City of Joy.” However, the 2025 route has changed due to repairs of Vidyasagar Setu, and hence Strand Road & AJC Bose Road couldn’t be in the route. The new route for 2025 added specific technical nuances; there are 5 U-turns and several sharp turns that every runner needs to know to get the best out of it.
Unlike standard Half Marathons (21.1K) or Marathons (42.2K), the 25K distance is unique. It serves as a perfect stepping stone for half-marathoners aiming to move up to the full marathon distance.
The TSK 25K holds the prestigious Gold Label status from World Athletics. This certification is reserved for road races that meet strict global standards for elite field quality, anti-doping protocols, course measurement, and organization.
The event celebrates Vijay Diwas (Victory Day) to honor the Indian Armed Forces' victory in 1971. There is a specific trophy category for Army, Navy, and Air Force teams.
World Record Course: The original course (not the 2025 course) is exceptionally fast and flat. In 2023, Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo set a “World Best” stand-alone 25K time of 1:11:13 on this course.
For the 2025 edition, legends like Joshua Cheptegei (Olympic Champion) and Alphonce Simbu (World Athletics Marathon Champion) were announced to headline the field.
Weather: Expect cool temperatures (17°C - 18°C) at the start, but will rise to 20°C by 8 AM. Humidity will be on the higher side touching 90% at the start.
Here is a kilometer-by-kilometer guide, combining technical details, landmarks, and runner-friendly trivia.
You start on the Western Flank of the historic Red Road. The wide avenue invites speed, but stay controlled. As you turn onto Khidderpore Road, prepare for the first technical challenge: a Left U-Turn near the Hastings crossing (approx. 2km) that switches you to the Southern Flank. Shortly after, you navigate the Hospital Road loop, which features another sharp rhythm-breaking U-turn around the 4km mark.
Pro Tip: Respect the U-Turns. Don’t sprint into the sharp turns at Hastings or Hospital Road. Slow slightly entering the turn to save your ankles, then accelerate out.
Landmarks:
Trivia: Red Road wasn’t just built for parades; during World War II, it served as an emergency landing strip for Fighter Jets! As you run past Victoria Memorial, look at the top dome, the 16-foot bronze “Angel of Victory” is actually a wind vane that rotates with the wind, and also acts as a lightning conductor.
After the technical start, you turn right onto kiddapore road again, then right onto Casuarina Avenue and a few more turns via Queen’s way you will hit the “Southern Cruise.” This long, straight stretch covers Chowringhee Road, Ashutosh Mukherjee Road, and SP Mukherjee Road. You will be running primarily on the Eastern Flank. This is the flattest, most consistent part of the course.
Pro Tip: Bank Energy. This is the easiest mental section. Find your target race pace and hold it steady. Do not surge yet.
Landmarks:
Trivia: You are running alongside some of Asia’s oldest operating tram tracks. Also, the Birla Planetarium you pass is the largest in Asia and the second largest in the world.
This is the most critical section. The route zig-zags through the leafy neighborhoods of South Kolkata. Expect a Left U-Turn at Tollygunge Circular Road, followed by a cut through Abdul Rasul Avenue. You will hit Southern Avenue but won’t stay there long. Prepare for a Right U-Turn at Tollygunge Police Station.
After the U-turn at Tollygunge PS, you will make a detour onto Lake Gardens Road, and another U-turn before rejoining Southern Avenue. The detour to Lake Gardens also adds Flyover to the route, which you will have to cross twice before making a U-turn. Thankfully this is a small flyover, but adds a slight incline to an otherwise flat segment, so prepare for a brief elevation change before descending back towards the Lake Gardens loop.
Pro Tip: Focus on Tangents. With so many turns in this 8km segment, running wide can add hundreds of meters to your race. Stick to the shortest legal line through the corners.
Landmarks:
Trivia: Southern Avenue has tree-lined boulevards, a stark contrast to the congested north. The canal you cross (Tolly’s Nullah) was originally excavated in 1777 as a shipping route to the Sundarbans.
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Get Your Plan →You hit the Gariahat Flyover while approaching the 21st km mark. This is the only significant elevation change on the course (approx. 10-15m climb). After the descent, you run down Syed Amir Ali Avenue towards the Park Circus 7-Point.
Pro Tip: Use the Downhill. Don’t push too hard up the flyovers. Maintain effort, then let gravity give you free speed on the way down to get back on pace.
Landmarks:
Trivia: It took 26 years to build the Birla Mandir (1970-1996)! The Park Circus 7-Point Crossing is legendary for its traffic chaos, but on race day, it’s yours to conquer obstacle-free.
A sharp Left Turn at Park Circus puts you onto Park Street. In December, this street is decked out in Christmas lights and lined with cheering spectators. It is a straight shot until the very end. At the JLN Road crossing, do not turn left immediately. You must continue straight, turn Right onto Outram Road, and then make the final Right onto Red Road (Eastern Flank) to finish.
Pro Tip: Empty the Tank. When you hit Outram Road, you have less than 1km to go, start your kick there!
Landmarks:
Trivia: Park Street was historically part of the “White Town”, an area exclusive to Europeans in the colonial era. Today, it is the cosmopolitan heart of the city’s nightlife.
Overall this course is flatter than Mumbai or Bengaluru. If you survive the turns in Segment 3 (12-20km) without slowing down, you are set for a personal best.
See you at the finish line on Red Road!
Prepared by Team GeeksOnFeet for the love of running
