Top guns for TCS World 10K run

Defending champion in the women's category Kenya's Lucy Kabuu and Guye Adola, the course record holder for men in the Delhi Half Marathon 2014, will headline a strong field of over 100 elite runners in the eighth TCS World 10K run to be held here on May 17.

Also in the mix is the fastest woman in 10K category, Morocco's Malika Asahssah who will be making her debut in the event that offers a prize-money of $194, 376, and Berlin Half Marathon winner Birhanu Legese.

Complementing the international athletes will be the Indian runners including defending champion BC Tilak, 2014 Delhi Half Marathon winner Suresh Kumar and International Cochin Half Marathon winner G.A Lakshmanan.

Among women, the race day will witness, defending champion Swati Gadhave, winner of the 2015 Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, Kavita Raut, Monica Athare and L. Surya.

The Elite Distance Running Program, launched by Procam International, will also field eight runners including Federation Cup gold medallist Preeti Lamba.

Nagaraj Ijari, vice-president and Global Head Hi-Tech and Professional Services Business Segment, TCS said: "This year, we are proud to be associated with yet another set of distinguished runners who have redefined track and field and road running through their stellar performance across the globe.

"Bangalore's response is a testament of our enthusiasm and commitment towards the joy of running."

The field includes, besides the elite athletes, more than 13,000 runners in the Open Category, 11,000 in the Majja Run, about 800 runners in the senior citizen category and some 200 in the Champions with Disability category.

Vivek Singh, joint managing director, Procam International, said: "Bengaluru has always welcomed the TCS World 10K with a lot of enthusiasm and this year looks to be no different.

"The fact that we have consistently registered more than 25,000 runners over the years goes to show how the run evolved into a community activity and has become an integral part of Bengaluru. Best of luck to all the runners, make every step count."