As the JBG Kolkata Marathon turns ten, its journey finds a voice in Cholo Dourai and Feats of Joy. The official event song and the book were launched on November 9, 2025, in Kolkata, in the presence of renowned athletes, Ms Dola Banerjee, Archer, Mr Anju Bobby George, Long Jumper, Mr Mehtab Hossain, Former Footballer and Coach, Mr Joydeep Karmakar, Shooter and other dignitaries and members of the sporting and literary community.
A decade ago, two dreamers set out to create a race that was not just about running but about discovering oneself, about finding joy in the journey. That spark became the JBG Kolkata Marathon. What began as a small trail run with 99 participants in 2016 has, ten years later, become a festival of endurance, courage, and community. A tribute to those who run against odds, Feats of Joy and Cholo Dourai are a celebration of movement, meaning and the magic of the human spirit, proving that sometimes, the greatest finish lines are the ones we create for ourselves.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Gaurav Jajodia, Director, Jai Balaji Group, said: “When the Marathon began in 2016 with just 99 participants, few could have imagined the movement it would become. Today, it stands as one of Kolkata’s proudest traditions, a gathering of thousands who run not only to win, but to belong. As the JBG Kolkata Marathon completes a decade, Feats of Joy stands as a tribute to those who run towards life, not away from it. To those who fall, rise, and run again. To those who find their own finish lines, in sport and beyond.”
Nishant Maheshwari, CEO & Director, Sportiz and Race Director of the JBG Kolkata Marathon, shared: “When we began this journey a decade ago, the dream was to create a platform that would inspire people to run, not just on the road, but towards their best selves. Today, as we celebrate ten incredible years of the JBG Kolkata Marathon, this book and song stands as a tribute to that dream and to every individual who made it real. Their journeys remind us that success is not measured by speed, but by spirit. And that in every step, there lies the power to change not just a race, but a life.”
Feats of Joy – is born out of that very spirit. It is not merely a book, it is a celebration of ten years of running, dreaming, and daring. A book that celebrates fifty athletes, fifty inspiring stories of spirit and struggle, and one shared belief: that champions aren’t born; they’re made. Through fifty powerful stories, it captures the heartbeat of Indian sport, athletes who rose from dust tracks and forgotten corners to conquer the impossible. From Neeraj Chopra’s golden throw to P.V. Sindhu’s fearless smashes, from Yogesh Kathuniya’s unwavering resolve to Rani Rampal’s leadership forged in fire, these are not just stories of victory, but of becoming.
From the dusty lanes of Haryana to the hockey fields of India, from the throwing circle of a Paralympian to the global badminton court, Feats of Joy captures the essence of Indian sport. It is a book about heartbeats, fast, fierce and full of life. Each chapter is a flame, illuminating journeys of grit, resilience, and unyielding passion. Together, they form a mosaic of inspiration that mirrors the spirit of the marathon itself, where every step is a story, every runner a dreamer and every finish line a new beginning.
Cholo Dourai – is a Run Anthem that captures the spirit of every runner and the heartbeat of the city. The song embodies the rhythm of determination, the pulse of endurance, and the energy that drives thousands to the start line each year.
Rooted in Kolkata’s unmistakable musical soul, “Cholo Dourai” brings together powerful lyrics and vibrant rock beats – echoing the cadence of a runner’s footsteps and the city’s unyielding passion. It is not just a song, but a celebration of movement, grit, and the unstoppable spirit of Kolkata.
