Bengaluru sets new record with more than 36,000 runners turning up for the city’s most revered distance running event
Bengaluru : In a first, over 36,000 runners soaked up the summer sun when they showed up with zest and fanfare at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru in its historic 18th edition here on Sunday.
At the flag off, the event’s global popularity was at the fore with not only running enthusiasts from different nationalities lining up but also featured the 56-year-old Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah taking to the start line along with his sons Zahid and Zamir accompanying him. Interestingly, the father beat the sons to the finish line, clocking an impressive 50 minutes while Zahid and Zamir finished six minutes behind their father.
“It was a tough run. I started a bit too fast and then the humidity of Bangalore caught up with me. But the crowds were amazing,” expressed Abdullah.
“I’ve run in other cities as well. But the passion and the support that I saw from the crowds here in Bangalore was absolutely amazing. It really gives us a lot of energy. The arrangements, particularly from PROCAM and the administration of Karnataka and the Bangalore City, were very good,” he added.
Among other noted personalities testing their endurance in the Open 10K was Mysuru Maharaja and Member of Parliament Yaduveer KC Wadiyar. Having participated in the event in previous years, Yaduveer said this event offers a great opportunity to connect with the vibrant running community of Bengaluru.
“The TCS World 10K is a wonderful event, it has good energy and a good vibe. It’s been a pleasure to revive that interest in running through this year’s 10K. Hopefully, I will be able to go through and do the races in Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai to complete my Procam Slam.”
Hon’able Deputy CM of Karnataka DK Shivakumar also commented on the event saying, “I would like to thank TCS for taking the initiative for organising the event in Bengaluru. They are doing a great job and it is the need of the hour. There were more than 36,000 participants taking part today, underlining the growth of running culture in the city and the country.”
Making it a special outing on Sunday was Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and his wife Sivashree, who made her debut in the 10K category. Surya, who stopped the clock at 61 minutes, patiently waited at the finish line for his wife – cheering her on as she crossed the line. Evidently proud of her feat, he said, “My wife is incredible. She isn’t a natural runner. She has put in so much effort in the past few months. She’s getting better. It just shows that whoever puts in the necessary training, you can actually make it happen. All those early morning runs in Lalbagh, all of that is finally paying off. And I’m so, so proud of what she’s done.”
There were more such personal milestones on Sunday. For 42-year-old Saloni Arora, completing the Open 10K was a huge high as this was her 10th race at the TCS World 10K. Sharing her excitement, she said, “I ran an easy pace and completed in 62 minutes. I also happened to meet the man I married here while participating in the at TCS World 10K. So, this event is special in many ways for me.”
In all, the 18th edition of the TCS World 10K was a culmination of Bengaluru’s spirit and enthusiasm to embrace fitness as a lifestyle and neither physical disabilities nor age was a deterrent.
Leave a Reply