SOME OF THE WORLD’S TOP distance runners will converge in Bengaluru for the 18th edition of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru, scheduled for 26 April. The World Athletics Gold Label race carries a total prize purse of USD 210,000, with USD 26,000 awarded to the winners in both the men’s and women’s categories. Additional bonuses will also be offered for course record performances.
Leading the men’s field is Uganda’s Harbert Kibet. The 20-year-old, who was a finalist at the World Athletics U20 Championships two years ago, made his 10K debut earlier this year with a victory in Castellón, Spain, clocking 26:39, the sixth-fastest time recorded for the distance.
Kibet is one of five athletes in the field with sub-27-minute personal bests. In total, 11 runners competing this year have faster personal bests than the current Bengaluru course record of 27:38.
Among his strongest challengers are Ethiopia’s Khairi Bejiga (26:51) and two platinum-level runners, Rodrigue Kwizera of Burundi and Ethiopia’s Gemechu Dida. Kwizera finished runner-up in Bengaluru two years ago, while Dida secured an impressive second place at the RAK Half Marathon earlier in 2026.
Another Ethiopian contender, Tadese Worku, the fifth athlete in the field with a sub-27-minute time is also familiar with the Bengaluru course, having finished second in the 2022 edition. Adding further star power to the line-up is two-time world 5000m champion Muktar Edris.
In the women’s race, defending champion Sarah Chelangat will return to defend her title. The Ugandan runner topped the podium in 2025 with a time of 31:07. If she succeeds again, she will become only the second athlete to win back-to-back titles in the event, following Agnes Tirop, who achieved the feat in 2018 and 2019.
Early entries suggest a strong Kenyan presence in the women’s field. Kenyan runners have historically dominated the event, winning 10 of the 15 women’s titles contested in Bengaluru so far.
Leading the 2026 entrants is Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir, who posted a winning time of 29:25 at the Valencia 10K. Also returning is the 2024 Bengaluru champion Lilian Rengeruk Kasait, who will be among the key contenders for the top spot.
Another Kenyan star in the field is Beatrice Chepkoech, the world record-holder in the 3000m steeplechase, who previously won the Port-Gentil 10K in Gabon. Meanwhile, Cintia Chepngeno, silver medallist at both the Bengaluru and Shanghai 10K last year, is also expected to add further intensity to what promises to be a highly competitive women’s race.
