Korio, Cheptai win Bengaluru World 10K

Heading into the 10th edition of the TCS World 10K, all eyes were fixed on the two-time defending champion Mosinet Geremew of Ethiopia and the world record holder Leonard Komon of Kenya. But to everyone’s surprise, it was another Kenyan who stole the limelight.

Alex Oloitiptip Korio is not a new face on the Bengaluru roads. The two times he raced here (2012 and 2013) he was on the podium, second in 2012 and winner in 2013. He is smart and composed.

These qualities were on display as Korio led a commanding Kenyan show on Sunday even as thousands of Bangaloreans made the most of the traffic-free roads to express themselves.The relentless showers on Saturday and the late start of the elite races had threatened to make life difficult for the runners.

But it seemed even God wanted to enjoy a good race as the overcast conditions helped the runners push harder through the 10-kilometre distance. Korio clocked 28 minutes and 12 seconds for the title, while his compatriot Edwin Kiptoo overtook Uganda’s Stephen Kissa in the final 50 metres to finish second in 28 minutes and 26 seconds.

Kissa, one of the designated pacemakers, was third in 28 minutes and 28 seconds. Geremew, eyeing a hat-trick of titles, ended 10th in 29:31 while Komon was eighth in 28:55.“I had prepared well for this race. I am familiar with the roads here and the weather, so even that helped,” said Korio. “It’s a good win.

Today’s prize money would help me to complete the construction of my house,” he said after pocketing the winner’s cheque of $26,000.

The race started with Kissa leading the pack of 46 elite runners out of the Sree Kanteerava stadium and on to the streets of Bengaluru. New Zealand’s Zane Robertson, Korio and Kiptoo banked on Kissa but the going was hard in the initial half as the leaders took close to 17 minutes to finish the first five kilometres.

At the halfway mark, Korio switched gears and pushed hard in his attempt to build some lead while Robertson, Kiptoo and Kissa stayed on the Kenyan’s heels. Close to the Vidhana Soudha, the race did pick some pace with Robertson, Korio, Kiptoo, Kissa and Mule Wasihun of Ethiopia breaking away from the pack.

As they entered Cubbon Park, Korio kicked harder and built a healthy  50-metre lead making his way through the canopy inside the park towards the Kanteerava. While the 27-year-old held on to his lead and eased towards the finish to clinch the title, there was more drama left in the race.

While Robertson and Wasihun ran out of gas by the eight-kilometre mark, Kiptoo and Kissa went into a battle of their own as lead kept changing at a frequent pace between them. Kiptoo led as the duo entered the Cubbon Park but by the time that stretch was completed, Kissa had surged ahead.

But the Kenyan was not done yet as he switched gears and generated enough pace on the track to push his Ugandian competitor behind on the final turn for the silver medal.

In the women’s section there were no such drama, as the reigning World Cross Country champion Irene Cheptai of Kenya planned her race to perfection to win the title. Cheptai clocked 31 minutes and 51 seconds, while Ethiopia’s Worknesh Degefa finished second in 32 minutes. Last year’s silver medallist, Kenya’s Helah Kiprop had to be content with the bronze this time as she finished her race in 32 minutes and two seconds.

Though Gladys Chesir of Kenya did try to make her mark with a spirited show, she couldn’t last the distance. The top three broke free around the seven-kilometre mark before Cheptai pushed harder and built a comfortable lead going into the last kilometre, finally winning by a handsome nine-second margin.

Results (Elite only): Men: Overall: Alex Korio (Ken) 28:12, 1; Edwin Kiptoo (Ken) 28:26, 2; Stephen Kissa (Uga) 28:28.Indians: Naveen Kumar 30:56, 1; Sandeep Tayade 31:02, 2; Shankar Man Thapa 31:07, 3.Women: Overall: Irene Cheptai (Ken) 31:51, 1; Worknesh Degefa (Eth) 32:00, 2; Helah Kiprop (Ken) 32:02, 3.Indians: Saigeeta Naik 36:01, 1; Kiran Sahdev 36:30, 2; Preenu Yadav 36:46, 3.