PANAJI: The whistle has gone off for the resurgence of mass participation sports in India! Namma Bengaluru is gearing up with excitement for the 14th edition of the Tata Consultancy Services World 10K on Sunday, 15th May 2022. The formidable elite field and participants from all walks of life will stand in unison at the start line – coming alive and finding joy in what brings them happiness; as the race is flagged-off from the iconic Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
To mark the 10-day countdown to the World Athletics Elite Label race, the TCS World 10K Bengaluru and the Official Timing Partner SEIKO unveiled the countdown clock along with various other sponsors and dignitaries.
Registrations are in full-swing for all race categories across two formats of the event – on-ground and virtual run. The Registrations for Majja Run, Champions with Disability and Senior Citizen Run are open till Tuesday, 10th May, 2022. Headlined by the Elite World 10K, the event will witness in action the committed runners in the Open 10K, the amateur runners at the Majja Run – the colorful soul of the event, silvers in the Senior Citizens Run and the Champions with Disability in the CWD run, states a press release.
Rajashree R, chief marketing officer of TCS said, “At Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), we are delighted to be the title sponsor of the TCS World 10k Bengaluru for the last 11 years. We are proud that TCS World 10K has now become an integral part of the city calendar attracting a lot of participants not only from the city but across the globe as well. Our “We believe” campaign will celebrate runners, besides recognising and honouring the support system they need to be successful. From family, friends, coaches, training partners and colleagues to all those at TCS involved in race day preparation and everyone needed to orchestrate the actual event, The commitment reflects our brand’s theme ‘Building on Belief’ which values the belief in self, community, and a beautiful tomorrow.”
This edition of the elite line-up includes a healthy mix of veterans and promising young sensations from across the country. With a total prize fund of US$210,000, the overall women’s and men’s champion will take home 26,000 USD each and the Indian men and women champion will take home INR 2,75,000 each. In addition to the prize money, the Indian winners also stand a chance to win an event record bonus of INR 1,00,000 and an event record jackpot of INR 1,00,000.
Delhi half marathon 2020 Gold medalist and TCS World 10K Silver medalist Parul Chaudhary will lead the Indian Elite Women’s category. Parul will receive tough competition from TCS World 10K Bronze medalist UP’s Chinta Yadav and Tata Mumbai Marathon (Half Marathon) 2020 3rd place finisher & Tata Mumbai Marathon – Half Marathon winner Monica Athare. along with Delhi Half Marathon 2020 runner up Komal Jagadale on race day.
Tata Mumbai Marathon & Delhi Half Marathon 2019 winner and Delhi Half Marathon 2020 Silver medalist, Srinu Bugatha will lead the men’s line-up. He will be challenged by SAF Nations Marathon 2022 Bronze medalist A B Belliappa. Srinu & AB Belliappa both have qualified for 2022 CWG & Asian Games. The other contender for the title is Anish Thapa, New Delhi National Marathon 2022 silver medalist and Delhi Half Marathon 2020 fifth place finisher Tirtha Pun, along with Narendra Pratap Singh, who finished first in the 10,000m event at the Khelo India University Games 2020.
Naarayan TV, Chief Marketing Officer, IDFC FIRST Bank, said, “We believe that we all have the power to make an incredible impact on people’s lives. Under our FIRST Impact social responsibility programme, we are excited to announce a pledge to contribute to social causes on behalf of TCS World 10K Bengaluru participants. IDFC FIRST Bank will contribute Rs. 1000 to non-profits on behalf of every participant who completes 10K within 1 hour and Rs. 2000 if the participant is an IDFC FIRST Bank customer. An interesting aspect of this pledge is that it enables qualifying participants to choose a cause that matters to them. So as the countdown begins, participants are inspired to run for a cause. Every person who completes the Run will not only experience the joy of the run but also that of making a difference to someone.”
ASICS, a Japanese sports performance brand that has been developing sports footwear and apparel for more than 70 years, has partnered with Tata Consultancy Services World 10K Bengaluru – as the official ‘Sports Goods Partner’. As part of the collaboration, ASICS launched its Finisher Tee at the countdown press conference in Bengaluru, the T-Shirt was unveiled by ASICS’ Athlete, Olympian and Asian Marathon Championship Winner, T. Gopi.
The top 950 finishers in the Open 10K category across men and women will be presented with this tee as a token of appreciation for their effort and hard work.
Rajat Khurana, Managing Director ASICS India & South Asia said, “The last few years, ASICS has been on a mission to inspire as many people as possible to experience the uplifting impact of movement on the mind as a way of achieving a ‘Sound Mind in a Sound Body.’ Through this association, we wish to enable runners across all age groups to push themselves to achieve new goals and experience the joy of running. This event is also important for us to communicate with the running community about various innovations and technologies that ASICS has to offer. With 7 stores in the city and 16 stores in the region, South India remains a priority market for us.”
Speaking about the event, ASICS brand ambassador, Olympian & Asian Marathon Championship Winner, T Gopi said, “TCSW10K run is one of the premier races in the world and I’m privileged to be part of the event. It gives me a platform to challenge myself and set my mind free. ASICS has been instrumental in shaping my journey by providing me with the right kind of gear required for my training and regular field practice. I deeply cohere with their vision and philosophy and hope that together we can drive a more relevant and meaningful change in the minds and lives of young athletes.”
Vivek Singh, JT. MD. Procam International, stated, “We are humbled by the overwhelming love and support from world over, as we open the doors to an international long-distance running event yet again. The strong elite contingent with world champions like Muktar Edris and Hellen Obiri and athletics legend Justin Gatlin as the event ambassador are a testimony to the popularity of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru. Our preparations are in fast gear and everything is coming together with the unwavering support and faith from all the stakeholders of our event.
Our partners ensure the best for runners and one such initiative is the Finisher Tee by ASICS. We are sure this will encourage our runners to put on their best performance. Our sporting best to all, See you Sunday, 15th May!”
The TCS World 10K will be LIVE on Procam International’s You Tube channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/ProcamInternational
