Just as Bengaluru transformed from the Garden City of India to its globally-renowned Silicon Valley, its love for the outdoors was given a fillip in 2008 by the Tata Consultancy Services World 10K Bengaluru.

The annual road running event turned out to be the much-needed panacea for the country’s IT hub, triggering the running culture for a healthy lifestyle in India’s fastest-growing metropolis that was working round-the-clock for clients across the globe.

Perched high on the Deccan Plateau and blessed with incredible weather, it was only a matter of time before the sleepy city began vying for the title of India’s Running Capital along with Delhi and Mumbai largely due to the global success of the #TCSW10K.

It was the third running property of game-changer Procam International following the spectacular success of the Mumbai Marathon in 2004 and the Delhi Half Marathon in 2005 which helped turn running into the fastest-growing sporting activity in the country in less than two decades.

As a distance, the 10K is a perfect synthesis of speed and endurance and is also widely regarded as the first milestone in long-distance running. Accorded the Gold Label by governing body World Athletics, the USD 210,000 prize fund Road Race has attracted a formidable International Elite field since its inception, while enthusiastic amateurs from across India and the world descend on Bengaluru to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the race.

Three-time world half marathon champion and former world record holder Geoffrey Kamworor (Kenya) and Tokyo Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya) feature among the past winners of the coveted #TCSW10K.

Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli and Irene Cheptai ran course records of 27:38 and 30:35 respectively at the 14th edition in 2022 as the event returned following a two-year pandemic-forced break.

#TCSW10K has been a phenomenal influence on social change and prides itself as the most prominent sports philanthropy platform in southern India, having raised an impressive INR 49 crore since its inception.

Global sporting icons such as Carl Lewis, Mike Powell, Marie Jose Perec, Maria Mutola, Stephanie Rice, Arantxa Sanchez, and Justin Gatlin have as International Event Ambassadors endorsed the event that has a Majja Run (5K), which takes in the many splendours of the city, the Senior Citizens’ Run, that sees silver rule the road, and the Champions with Disability, which supports inclusivity and provides the opportunity for all to take centre stage, as support races.