With the city experiencing a less-than-harsh summer, conditions seem set for its amateur running contingent to clock faster timings at the 11th edition of the TCS World 10k this Sunday.
The Elite competitors will run last while the Open 10K (15,200 runners) will start at 5.30 a.m., followed by the Majja Run at 6.45 a.m. and the Senior Citizen's run at 7.15 a.m., giving all those in the amateur categories their best shot.
The women's Elite race will start at 8 a.m. while the corresponding men's race will commence at 8.50 a.m.
Race Director Hugh Jones maintained that this order is suitable for all.
“The quality of air on a Sunday morning, even at 9 a.m., is within competitive standards,” he said. “Even otherwise, the elite athletes are well prepared to tackle tough conditions. W we can expect a good race. The only thing we were worried about was the race date being postponed because of the elections and the threat of thunderstorms. But rains are always unpredictable and we are well prepared.”
Even as the course for the elite athletes remains the same as last year, the Open 10K route has undergone a slight change. The finish line, which was previously at the main entrance of Sree Kanteerava Stadium, has been pulled back closer to Hudson Circle. According to Jones, this has been done to avoid crowding near the stadium gates.
But not all runners may be pleased.
“Earlier, after exiting Cubbon Park, there was a long flat stretch on Kasturba Road with the finish line in sight, which encouraged people to sprint. It is sad that we will not have that experience any more,” said a runner.
The medical partner, Fortis Hospitals, will deploy 200 personnel, 25 doctors, mobile medicos on two-wheelers and six ambulances. There will be three medical stations along the route and two base camps at the start and finish line, with a total of 50 beds.
