JOIN USAs thousands of Bangaloreans enjoyed their annual running fiesta, it wasn’t all fun for the athletes in the elite segment of the World 10K.
A change in event timings led to the Open 10K race – open to the common public – being scheduled ahead of the Elite races for men and women. While the elite athletes had to run in warmer weather, they also encountered on the roads groups of lay runners who had not finished their event, posing problems. “I had some difficulty nearing the finish,” admitted Geoffrey Kipsang, the men’s winner. “I had to avoid the joggers who were still on the road and lost some seconds,” he added. Still, he managed to break the course record by seven seconds, showing his dominance.
While Kipsang had the lead vehicle out in front helping him, the other runners didn’t have that benefit. The elite women runners were untroubled on this count though, as the Open 10K runners had all finished their event by then. But the change in timings meant they had to run in hot conditions. “It was hot and humid, it was tough out there,” said Lucy Kabuu, the women’s winner. Perhaps, a change is in order next year so that the elite athletes have the best of conditions to run in.
It was quite a party for the amateur runners. People from all walks of life and all ages thronged the roads, taking part in different categories. Men and women braving their disabilities and senior citizens stretching their every sinew conveyed the fighting spirit of this city. Cheering them on was legendary Carl Lewis and film actors Puneet Rajkumar and John Abraham, donning their roles with aplomb.