With a total prize pool of USD 210,000, the Indian men\u2019s winner is set to take home INR 3,00,000, while the Indian women\u2019s winner will receive INR 2,75,000.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Additionally, a bonus of INR 1,00,000 is on offer for athletes who break the existing event records at the World Athletics Gold Label Race.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Defending champion Abhishek Pal returns after clocking 29:12 last year to set the Indian men\u2019s event record and will look to build on that performance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBengaluru has always been special for me. I\u2019ve run multiple 10Ks here and last year I was able to break the course record, which gives me a lot of confidence coming back. This race is also a great way to assess where I stand at the start of the season. It tells you about your speed, endurance and overall condition, and helps shape the rest of the year. I\u2019m hoping to build on that rhythm and deliver another strong performance,\u201d Abhishek said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Joining him is Kartik Karkera, who comes into the race on the back of a breakthrough stretch that includes victories at the National Marathon Championship, and the Tata Mumbai Marathon on debut.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m coming into Bengaluru with good momentum, but this phase is about building towards bigger goals like the Asian Games. Running a 10K is crucial, it sharpens speed while maintaining endurance, both essential for the marathon. Events like this give Indian athletes exposure to international competition, and that experience is invaluable. It pushes us to believe we can compete at the highest level. A fast race here will be important to gauge where I stand,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the women\u2019s field, Sanjivani Jadhav, one of the most consistent names in Indian road running and a back-to-back Indian Elite winner in Bengaluru, will have the opportunity to secure a historic hat-trick.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMy training has remained consistent, even after stepping up to the marathon earlier this year. The focus now is back on the 5K and 10K as I build towards the Asian Games. For this race, it\u2019s about both defending my title and improving my timing. Races like Bengaluru are important\u2014they fit well into my preparation and help me stay competitive at the highest level. I\u2019m confident the conditions here will help me push for a strong result,\u201d Sanjivani said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Over 36,000 participants are set to take part in the event, once again energising the city and setting a new record.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMy training has remained consistent, even after stepping up to the marathon earlier this year. The focus now is back on the 5K and 10K as I build towards the Asian Games. For this race, it\u2019s about both defending my title and improving my timing. Races like Bengaluru are important\u2014they fit well into my preparation and help me stay competitive at the highest level. I\u2019m confident the conditions here will help me push for a strong result,\u201d Sanjivani said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Embracing the spirit of the event, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah will also lace up and join the runners on Sunday, alongside Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and Tejasvi Surya, Brig. Ranjeet Alva, SM, Dy. GOC, Karnataka & Kerala Sub-Area, and Giandomenico Milano, Consul General of Italy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n