Over 10,000 registered for World 10K run on May 18

Bangalore, May 14 (UNI) International athletes including Zersernay Tadesse, the current World No One from Eritrea, multiple World champion Paul Tergat of Kenya were among the National and International athlets who can be seen in action vying for top honour in the USD 150,000 prize money Sunfeast World 10K Bangalore to be held here on May 18.

Association of International Marathon and Distance Runners Secretary Hugh Jones, who is also Race Director for the event, told newsmen that Rwanda's Dieudonne Disi, Uganda's Moses Kipsiro and Kenya's Moses Masai are among other male runners who have confirmed their participation in the world's richest Run event, He said that the star studded women's field would be led by Turkey's Evlan Ablegessie, the 2008 European Cup winner and Kenya's Salina Kosgei, former World Champion Berhan Adere and Deribe Alemu of Ethiopia.

The world record in 10Km run with timing of 27.02 secs stands in the name of Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia created on December 12-2002 in Doha, while Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain holds records in female section in 10 Km with timing of 30.21 secs created in Saj Juan,Pur on February 23-2003.

The Nations' Challenge, an initiative planned to give Indian athletes an opportunity to run with the best, with a separate prize fund up for grabs, has received entries from 15 states and units and should make for exciting competitioon.

There is also prize money for the fastest individual finishers from among the Indian male and female athletes.

Vivek B Singh, Joint Managing Director of Procam International, the promoters of the event said that teams comprising of two male and one female athlets from 16 States are participating in the National Challenge run.

Events will be held in six categories--World 10K Elite Men and Nations Challenge (10Km) for 18 years and above, Wheelchair Event (4 Km) for 12 years and above, World 10K elite Women and Nations Challenge (10Km) for 18 years and above, Senior Citizens' Run (4km) for 60 years and above, Open 10 K run and IT Challenge (10Km) for 15 years and above and Majja Run (5.7 Km) for 12 years and above.

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