Kibet, Chelangat Lead Elite Fields at TCS World 10K Bengaluru

Bengaluru is set to host some of the world’s finest long-distance runners on Sunday, April 26, as the 18th edition of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru gets underway.

The World Athletics Gold Label Race, carrying a prize purse of USD 210,000, will see winners in both the men’s and women’s categories claim USD 26,000 each, with additional bonuses for course record performances.

Uganda’s Harbert Kibet headlines the men’s field. The 20-year-old, who was a finalist at the World Junior Athletics Championships two years ago, has quickly established himself as one of the sport’s rising stars.

Earlier this year, he stormed to victory in Castellon, Spain, clocking a world-leading 26:39, the sixth-fastest time ever recorded over the distance.

‘It is my first time in India, and in the TCS World 10K Bengaluru, I want the most out of it as I am in tremendous form,’ Kibet said ahead of the race.

Kibet will face stiff competition from Ethiopia’s Khairi Bejiga, who boasts a personal best of 26:51, as well as platinum-level runners Rodrigue Kwizera of Burundi and Gemechu Dida of Ethiopia.

Kwizera finished second in Bengaluru two years ago, while Dida impressed with a runner-up finish at the RAK Half Marathon earlier this year.

Another Ethiopian, Tadese Worku, who has also dipped under 27 minutes, returns to familiar territory after claiming silver in Bengaluru in 2022.

The men’s field also features two-time world 5000m champion Muktar Edris, adding further depth to the competition.

In the women’s category, defending champion Sarah Chelangat will attempt to secure back-to-back titles, a feat previously achieved only once before by Agnes Tirop in 2018 and 2019.

‘TCS World 10K Bengaluru is close to my heart, and I would like to triumph another time in this beautiful city,’said Chelangat, who clocked 31:07 to win last year, expressed her affection for the event.

The women’s race promises to be equally competitive, with a strong Kenyan contingent among the early entries.

Brenda Jepchirchir, the fastest entrant of 2026 with a 29:25 victory in Valencia, leads the challenge. She will be joined by Lilian Rengeruk Kasait, the 2024 Bengaluru champion, who is making her comeback.

World steeplechase record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech, who triumphed at the Port Gentil 10K in Gabon three years ago, adds star power, while Cintia Chepngeno, silver medalist in Bengaluru and Shanghai last year, is expected to be a serious contender.