24,570 to run in TCS 10K marathon in Bengaluru

As many as 24,570 runners, including international track and field athletes, have registered to run in the 12th edition of the TCS World 10K marathon here on May 19, said an official of the Indian IT bellwether on Thursday.

Third fastest runner in the 10km distance Kenya's Geoffrey Koech, fifth fastest Kenya's Vincent Kiprotich Kibet and Ethiopia's Birhanu Legese have lined up for the 10K race, with $213,000 (Rs 1.47 crore) prize money for winners in various categories.

Among the international women athletes to run will be Kenya's defending champion and course-record holder Agnes Tirop and Ethiopia's Tsehay Gemechu.

The Indian elite athletes are defending champion and course record holder Sanjivani Jadhav, national steeplechase record holder Avinash Sable, Swati Gadhave and Parul Cahudhary.

Among the participants, 16,046 will take part in the open 10k (10,000 metres) marathon, with 95 of the world's best track and field athletes, road and amateur runners.

"Of the total, 6,595 are participating in the 5.7-km Majja run fun category, while 873 senior citizens and 723 in the physically challenged categories," TCS Bengaluru head Nagaraj Ijari told reporters here.

Organised along with Procam International, the race is being held in the garden city since 2011 to promote a healthy and active lifestyle with a focus on a fit workforce.

The global software behemoth has partnered with many marathons the world over with leading international distance running properties to promote wellness and community development among its employees, their families and customers.

--IANS

fb/mr