Over 6500 participants in Kolkata 25K run

Over 6,500 participants have registered till date for the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K run to be held here on December 20, the organisers announced on Monday.

Online registrations have closed and now the only way to get into the event will be through the 'expo' where first come first serve registrations will be done from December 17 to 19.

Elite Indian runners, including the likes of O.P. Jaisha, Lalita Babar and Sudha Singh, will compete at the Athletics Federation of India (AFI)-recognised event. India's long-distance running coach Nikolai Snesarev of Belarus will be here as well.

The profits from the event will be spent on the welfare of underprivileged children and their treatment at the Tata Medical centre.

"We will ensure that the proceeds will be spent on the under privileged children and their treatment at the Tata Medical centre," Peeyush Gupta, vice president of Tata Steel (Marketing and Sales), said.

Renowned painter Wasim Kappor and 37 other artists, one for each registered NGO at the event will paint live at the start line on race-day. The proceeds from the funds raised will go to the NGOs.