The 2024 edition of the TCS Bengaluru World 10K is packed with pace. Five men and six women have entered who are credited with personal bests faster than the course records. Kenyans Nicholas Kimeli (27:38) and Irene Cheptei (30:35) have held the course record in Bengaluru since 2022. At any rate, the fields are fast.
The women
Kenyan, Emmaculate Anyango Achol, is the world’s second-fastest 10K runner. She is headlining the 16th edition of TCS World 10K Bengaluru on Sunday, Apri 28.
Anyango clocked a 28:57 performance in Valencia four months ago. She finished behind her teammate Agnes Ngetich, who posted a World Record 28:46. Anyango is a silver medallist from the 2019 African Junior Championships in the 3000m event. Anyango barely missed the Belgrade podium in this year’s World Cross Country Championships.
“I am very excited to be in Bengaluru for the first time for this incredible event, which has gained a worldwide reputation for being one of the best 10K races. I have heard so much about the events hosted in India and the running revolution they began nearly two decades ago. I am very much looking forward to being there and doing my best. The field of runners in the women’s category is quite strong this year and I love a good challenge,” expressed Anyango.
Five of her countrymates will also take the women’s starting line-up in Bengaluru. They all have faster performances than the current event course record (30:35). Kenya will field a stacked team with Lilian Rengeruk Kasait (29:32) leading. As well as Faith Chepkoech (29:50), Loice Chemnung (29:57), Cintia Chepngeno (30:08), and Grace Nawowuna (30:27). Anyango’s inclusion in this line-up suggests a power-packed elite women’s race that may set numerous records.
Rengeruk and Chepngeno competed in Valencia, while Chepkoech and Chemnung clocked their bests from Castellon and Paris. Nawowuna did it in Lille, France. Two Ethiopians, Aberash Minsewo, this year’s Tata Mumbai Marathon winner, and Lemlem Hailu, 2022 World Indoor 3000m champion, add depth to the women’s start lists.
The men
Meanwhile, in the elite men’s lineup, Kenya’s Peter Mwaniki Aila age 29, entered with the fastest personal best among the men at 26:59. He achieved this mark while finishing third earlier this year in Valencia, in January. In the process, Aila became the 19th runner in the World to run the 10K distance in under 27 minutes.
Fellow Kenyan and 2019 African Junior champion over 10,000m, Bravin Kipkogei Kiptoo is fast. He is credited with a 27:02 from Madrid last year. Also, there is Bravin Kiprop, who clocked an impressive 27:16 this February at Castellon, Spain. He should keep the race interesting.
Two more Kenyans, including Hillary Chepkwony and Patrick Mosin, will run well. Chepkwony is last year’s third-place finisher. Mosin was the runner-up in Castellon the previous year. Two young runners, John Wele from Tanzania and Boki Diriba from Ethiopia may also threaten the Kenyans.
The TCS World 10K Bengaluru will award a total prize pot of USD 210,000. The winners in the men’s and women’s categories will each take home USD 26,000. A course record bonus of USD 8,000 is also in the offing.
International elite athletes
MEN
1. Peter Mwaniki KEN/1994 26:59
2. Bravin Kipkogei KEN/2001 27:02
3. Bravin Kiprop KEN/1998 27:16
4. Patrick Mosin KEN/2000 27:26
5. Hillary Chepkwony KEN/1999 27:34
6. John Wele TAN/2006 28:14
7. Boki Diriba ETH/2004 28:25
FEMALE
1. Emmaculate Anyango Achol KEN/2000 28:57
2. Lilian Kasait Rengeruk KEN/1997 29:32
3. Faith Chepkoech KEN/2003 29:50
4. Loice Chemnung KEN/1997 29:57
5. Cintia Chepngeno KEN/2000 30:08
6. Grace Nawowuna KEN/2003 30:27
7. Aberash Minsewo ETH/2001 30:58
8. Lemlem Hailu ETH/2001 31:37
