World 10K likely to see fast timings

Idyllic running conditions - cool, wet weather, light breeze - earlier than usual for the city, will provide a perfect setting for some of the world’s best runners to show their stuff at the TCS World 10K on Sunday morning.

In its fourth edition, the World 10K has already grown to be one of India’s premier distance events, and has even earned an IAAF Gold label. Race Director Hugh Jones said he expected the event to produce some fast times this year.

“With the weather being cool, I expect we’ll see some pretty fast times,” he said. “The course is pretty good. It’s different from last time because of the Metro (Rail) work, but that’s okay.”

Most runners, including Titus Mbishei and Edna Kiplagat, believed the weather would aid a quick race this time.

In the men’s, defending champion Titus Mbishei of Kenya is a strong contender to retain his crown. Mbishei was three seconds outside the course record of 27:51 last year, and might just improve upon that this time. But he will have to contend with, among others, countryman Micah Kogo, who clocked the second fastest 10K time ever, and Ethiopia’s Lilesa Desisa.

Edna Kiplagat, New York City Marathon winner, Ethiopians Aselefech Mergia, Dire Tune, Koren Yal (winner of the 2011 Mumbai Marathon), and Ejigayehu Dibaba (Athens Olympics silver medalist in the 10,000m), are among the favourites to win the Elite women’s race.

Among the elite Indian runners are defending champions Preethi L Rao and Sunil Kumar, Asian Games medalists Kavita Raut and Sudha Singh, and Indrajeet Patel, fastest Indian in the field this year with 28.53.