The TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2024 witnessed a spectacular display of athletic prowess, headlined by the rewriting of Indian national records and a commanding victory from a global superstar. The event, held on a humid Sunday, saw distance runners Gulveer Singh and Seema smash longstanding national marks, while Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei lived up to his billing in the elite men's race.
Indian Athletes Script History with Record-Breaking Runs
In the men's category, Gulveer Singh delivered a stunning performance, clocking 28 minutes and 01 seconds to finish seventh overall in the elite field. This extraordinary effort shattered the previous Indian national record of 28:38, which had been set by Suresh Patel back in 2008. Gulveer's run was a masterclass in pacing and endurance, significantly lowering the benchmark for Indian distance running.
The women's race witnessed an equally historic feat. Seema, an accomplished long-distance runner, crossed the line in 32:47, securing a seventh-place finish among elite international competitors. Her time demolished the previous Indian women's record of 33:15, set by Preeja Sreedharan in 2009. Seema's achievement marks a monumental leap forward for women's athletics in the country, breaking a record that had stood for 15 years.
Cheptegei Dominates Elite Field, Kamworor and Kandie Follow
While Indian athletes celebrated national glory, the elite races were dominated by world-class talent. In the highly anticipated men's elite race, Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei, the reigning Olympic 5000m silver medalist and world record holder, claimed a decisive victory with a time of 27:45. He outpaced a strong field that included Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor, a multiple world champion, who finished second in 27:50. Another Kenyan, Kibiwott Kandie, took the third spot on the podium with a time of 27:52.
The elite women's race was won by Ethiopia's Dereje Hawi, who triumphed with a time of 31:35. She was followed by Kenya's Catherine Relin in second place (31:49) and another Ethiopian, Meseret Dinke, in third (31:55). The performances in the elite categories underscored the TCS World 10K's status as a premier event on the global athletics calendar.
A Landmark Event for Indian Athletics
The 2024 edition of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru will be remembered as a watershed moment for Indian distance running. The dual national records set by Gulveer Singh and Seema signal a new era of competitiveness and potential. Their achievements are expected to inspire a new generation of runners and elevate the profile of track and field in India.
The event successfully blended world-class international competition with breakthrough domestic performances. The humid conditions posed a challenge, but athletes across categories rose to the occasion, delivering memorable races. The records set in Bengaluru are not just numbers; they represent years of dedication and a significant shift in the capabilities of Indian athletes on the world stage.
With the dust settled on the roads of Bengaluru, the focus now shifts to how these record-breaking performances will translate into future success at Asian and global championships. For now, Gulveer Singh and Seema have etched their names into the history books, proving that Indian distance running is on a rapid and exciting ascent.
