Kolkata, Dec. 21 -- On a chilly winter Sunday, the World 25K delivered a riveting spectacle as records tumbled, champions asserted their dominance and Indian distance running announced another leap forward. While Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei underlined his mastery of the distance in the international elite men's race, the day truly belonged to India's Gulveer Singh and Seema, both of whom rewrote the course records in their respective elite categories.

Cheptegei, the double Olympic champion, stamped his authority early, dictating the pace from the flag-off and never relinquishing control. He crossed the line in 1:11:49 to win his maiden title, finishing ahead of Tanzania's Alphonce Felix Siumbu (1:11:56) and Lesotho's Tebello Ramakongoana (...