TCS World 10K marathon: All set for a Kenyan safari

Bengaluru: In a city that plans its day around the whims of the ever increasing traffic, Sunday morning will reveal a pulsating activity as the city’s young and old will take to the roads in the early hours of the day.

Fitness enthusiasts, running rookies and curious ones will all take to the road for the ninth edition of the TCS World 10K marathon. Over the years, the event has evolved into something the city’s proud of, bringing people from all walks of life together, all disparities forgotten, running along the scenic and calm Bengaluru (at least on Sunday mornings), a side of the city surprisingly well hidden in plain sight amidst the hustle.

And as it does year after year, the event will feature top athletes from across the globe along with the Indian contingent in the Olympic year. Defending champion Mosinet Geremew is once again a strong contender along with Kenya’s former world record holder Patrick Makau, who only recently made his comeback after two years out due to a knee injury. Paris Marathon champion winner Cyprian Kotut from Kenya will be another rising star to look out for while the newly crowned Mumbai marathon champion Gideon Kipketer will also seek to stake a claim for the title.

“My personal best timing in the half marathon was at the Delhi Half Marathon. So, I remember this connection to India. It was difficult to recover from Paris but when I heard that I would be running in Bengaluru, my body immediately recovered,” remarked Kotut, who is the reserve for Kenya’s Rio marathon squad.
The women’s section includes last year’s bronze medalist Gladys Chesir of Kenya along with compatriot and world half marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir. Helah Kiprop, who will be at the Rio Olympics to represent Kenya in the marathon event, will be another strong contender even as much is expected of young Agnes Tirop, who will make her road debut on Sunday.

For the Indian contingent, Nitendra Singh Rawat will look for a strong show ahead of his Olympics effort while Kheta Ram and defending champion Suresh Patel are expected to pose a stiff challenge.

Among the women, defending champion L Surya will be the one to look out for while Federation Cup champion Swati Gadhave’s late injury could see her sit out of the event.

With the new route and a blessing given that hindrances seen over the last few editions will be negligible, the route, always on the faster side, has
been further quickened and a new course record would not be a surprise with the talent pool on show.