BENGALURU: The IT City will announce the return of mass participation in sporting events, after a three-year break forced by Covid-19, at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2022 which will be flagged off at the Sree Kanteerava stadium here on Sunday.
Thousands of runners are expected to hit the streets in the heart of the city early in the morning with the first race, the Open 10K, scheduled for a 5. 30 am start. Among the Elite races, the women will start first at 7. 10 am followed by the men at 8 am.
Defending champion Andamlak Belihu is upbeat about his chances of winning on Sunday which will make him richer by at least $26,000. The 23-year-old, a two-time World Championship finalist, has a special liking for India, having done well in all his starts.
The women's section, which will start with memories of defending champion Agnes Tirop, will see 2017 champion Irene Cheptai taking on 5,000m world champion Hellen Obiri. Challenging the established names would be Faith Cherono and Joyce Tele.
Srinu, Sanjivani head Indian challenge
Among the Indian stars, defending champion Sanjivani Jadhav and Armyman Srinu Bugatha will vie for top honours. Others in the men's field include marathon runner AB Balliappa, who hails from Coorg, and Kartik Kumar.
