Bengaluru 10K Challenge: Runners across age groups vie for title

Participants at a promotional event just prior to the race

The inaugural Bengaluru 10K, which concluded this past weekend, was held to support environmental causes. Flagging off at Nice Road, Bangalore, the event had 10K and 5K categories. It was the first run of its kind that provided participants chips to measure their timings. The organisers also chose to promote environmental consciousness through the race, where all materials provided to runners were reusable and sustainably developed.

Runners were provided meals and in an effort to encourage more people to take up running, there was a timed shorter distance course which brings a certain amount of seriousness to what is usually just a ‘fun’ distance. There was a wide spread of contestants as well, ranging from ages 17 to 60. Runners competed for a maximum prize of Rs. 30,000.

21-year-old Shanthi Kumari of Bengaluru won the women’s 10k category, with a time of 44 minutes 16 seconds, with 25-year-old Anita Mahala in second with a time of 45:09.

The women’s 5K was won by Sowmya Savanth with a time of 20:55, with Lina Andreasson in 2^nd with 21:16.

Among the men, the 5K category was led by 22-year-old Mahendra Singh, who traversed the course in 16:15. Behind him was Mohd. Salman Khan in 16:17.

Among the men, Soji Mathew, 34 years of age, won the 10K in 32:09. Behind him was 24-year-old Yogendar Kumar, who finished only 3 seconds behind in 32:12.