Excitement Builds for the 17th World 10K Bengaluru Race

World 10K Bengaluru Set to Thrill Runners

The 17th edition of the World 10K Bengaluru is gearing up for an exciting event, with the 10K category already oversubscribed and other categories rapidly filling up. Scheduled for Sunday, April 27, 2025, this prestigious World Athletics Gold Label Road Race boasts a total prize pool of USD 210,000.

Under the theme #EndendiguBengaluru – Forever Bengaluru, the race aims to unite elite athletes and enthusiastic runners, creating an electrifying atmosphere that embodies the spirit of the city, as highlighted in a press release from the World 10K Bengaluru.

Leading this year's impressive lineup is Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei, the current world record holder in both the 5000m and 10,000m events. After an 11-year hiatus from Bengaluru, the three-time Olympian returns to the race where he made his international debut in 2014, finishing second. The Indian Challenge will be spearheaded by defending champions and event record holders Kiran Matre and Sanjivani Jadhav.

Sunil Deshpande, Regional Head of Tata Consultancy Services, the title sponsors, remarked, “The World 10K Bengaluru transcends being just a race; it celebrates the city’s relentless spirit and commitment to excellence. The increasing participation reflects a collective dedication to fitness and community, aligning perfectly with our values.”

NA Harris, MLA of Shanti Nagar, emphasized the importance of sports, stating, “Events like this motivate youth to adopt a healthy lifestyle. I commend Vivek Singh and TCS for initiating this running revolution, and it’s a proud moment to witness over 30,000 runners in our vibrant city.”

Cheptegei first shattered the 5000m world record in 2020, clocking 12:35.36 at the Herculis Diamond League in Monaco, breaking Kenenisa Bekele's long-standing record. He later set a new 10,000m record of 26:11.00 at the NN Valencia World Record Day, surpassing Bekele's previous mark.

As a decorated Olympian, Cheptegei solidified his legacy by winning gold in the 10,000m at the 2024 Paris Olympics, in addition to securing gold in the 5000m and silver in the 10,000m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Cheptegei will be aiming for another remarkable performance and the USD 8000 cash prize for breaking the course record at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru. The current record is held by Kipkorir Kimeli, who finished in 27:38 in 2022.

Having recently won the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon in 2024, Cheptegei expressed his enthusiasm for competing in Bengaluru, stating, “I am thrilled to participate in the World 10K Bengaluru, a prestigious event that consistently draws top talent globally. Road racing holds a special place in my heart, and I look forward to performing well in front of India’s passionate running community. I believe India is lucky for me, as I made my international debut here, and I hope to deliver a strong performance.”

A public-private partnership plays a crucial role in this edition, with the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) offering metro services starting as early as 3:30 AM on race day, facilitating easy access for participants from various parts of the city.

Indian hockey star Manpreet Singh unveiled the exclusive ASICS Finisher Tee in Bengaluru, expressing his admiration for the event. He stated, “It’s remarkable to see 30,000 participants in this year’s TCS World 10K. Congratulations to the organizers and sponsors for this incredible achievement. It serves as a great motivation for future generations to embrace fitness. To the participants, I encourage you to give it your all. It’s all about dedication and focus. The more people who participate, the better it is for our country.”

In the Indian men's category, defending champion and TCS World 10K event record holder Kiran Matre will face stiff competition from ASICS athlete Sawan Barwal, who is in excellent form after winning multiple recent events. The challenge will also come from Abhishek Pal, the winner of the 2022 World 10K.

In the women’s category, defending champion Sanjivani Jadhav, a three-time winner of the World 10K, will contend with Lili Das, who has shown impressive form recently, including a runner-up finish in the last edition and victories in the Delhi Half Marathon and TSW 25K Kolkata.