Bengaluru, Apr 29:
The 16th edition of the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) World 10K Bengaluru here on Sunday witnessed a display of exceptional athleticism as Kenyan runners, Peter Mwaniki and Lilian Kasait, claimed victory in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.
Mwaniki, touted as a favourite contender, secured the men’s title with a commanding performance, crossing the finish line with a time of 28:15. His strategic surge in the final stretch propelled him ahead of his compatriot Hillary Chepkwony, who finished closely behind at 28:33.
Notably, 17-year-old debutant Hagos Eyob impressed with a time of 28:39, securing the third position.
In the women’s category, Kasait showcased her prowess early on, seizing the lead and maintaining a relentless pace throughout the race. While falling just short of the event record, Kasait’s determined run culminated in a victory with a time of 30:56. Her performance overshadowed Emmaculate Achol, who finished second at 31:17, and Lemlem Hailu, who secured the third position with a time of 31:23.
The Indian elite category saw Kiran Matre and Sanjivani Jadhav emerge as the victors, both setting new event records. Matre’s resilient effort resulted in a first-place finish with a time of 29:32, breaking the previous record. Jadhav dominated the women’s lineup, clinching her third victory at the event with a time of 34:03, albeit missing her record.
Reflecting on their triumphs, Kasait expressed satisfaction with her performance despite narrowly missing the record, while Matre expressed his aspirations to prepare for the Paris Olympics.
The event, which offered a total prize purse of USD 210,000 and boasted the World Athletics Gold Label Road Race status, showcased the prowess of athletes from across the globe. Amidst stiff competition and challenging conditions, runners displayed determination and skill, making the TCS World 10K Bengaluru a memorable sporting spectacle.
