Defending Champion and course record holder Sanjivani Jadhav along with National Steeplechase Record holder Avinash Sable headline Indian Elite athletes at TCS World 10K 2019

Eco-Stride – Procam International’s Step Forward in Waste Management

As the city readies itself to host with pride the 12^th edition of the TCS World 10K, on Sunday the 19^th of May 2019, race promoters Procam International today announced the Indian Elite line-up for this Gold Label Race. The field boasts of a respectable mix of Track and Field and road runners, while registrations for all other categories closed at a monumental 24,570 amateur runners.

At the TCS World 10K 2019-Countdown PC (L to R), Ashish Bhushan, Director, Procam International, PN Sankaran – Director, Operations, Procam International, Sunil Deshpande-Delivery Centre Head, TCS Bangalore, Manas Krishnamurthy – General Manager, ITC Hotels, Bhanu Pratap Singh Chauhan–Cluster Head, Radio Mirchi and Arati Kakatkar – VP, Procam International.

Of the 24,570 registered runners, 16,046 participants have registered in the Open 10K, which is an increase of over 800 registered participants from the previous edition. The elite start will boast of 95 of the World’s best and celebrating the pride of running in Namma Bengaluru will be 6,595 participants in the Majja Run category, 873 Senior Citizens and heartwarming 720 participants in the Champions with Disability category which is almost double the number of registrations in comparison to previous years.

Nagaraj Ijari, Vice President, Head TCS Bengaluru Operations, Said “Tata Consultancy Services is delighted to be associated as the title sponsor of the TCS World 10k in Bengaluru since the last 9 years. We are proud that Tata Consultancy Services World 10K has now become an integral part of the city calendar with more participants joining the race with every passing year. The race attracts runners not just from the city but across the globe.

We have been actively involved in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle with a focus on a fit workforce. Globally, TCS has partnered with many marathons around the world with leading international distance running properties to promote wellness and community development among our employees, their families, and our customers. This year, we have around 4,000 TCS associates, their families and customers participating in the TCS World 10K Bengaluru in various race categories, while also contributing to a social cause.

TCS will continuously strive to promote wellness and a culture of giving back to society within the organization through events such as the TCS World 10K Bengaluru”.

ELITE LINE-UP TO BE HEADLINED BY INDIA AND WORLD’S BEST

The USD 213,000 prize money race promises to deliver some remarkable photo finish contests, with participation confirmed of the third fastest man in the 10KM distance Kenya’s Geoffrey Koech who completed the Prague 2018 10K in 27:18 and the fifth fastest man Kenya’s Vincent Kiprotich Kibet, Berlin 10K 2018 winner with a time of 27:21. Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese who won the Tokyo Marathon 2019 at 2:04:48 & TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2018 Runner-up at 28:38 also joins the line-up.

Among the elite international women, people will wait with bated breath to catch the defending champion & course-record holder Agnes Tirop from Kenya who had set the course record of 31:19 in the 2018 edition of the run. Making the field more competitive will be Ethiopia’s Tsehay Gemechu, Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2018 Winner.

Joining these champions will be India’s elite headlined by Sanjivani Jadhav who holds the course-record at 33:38 set last year. The field further boasts of double champion at the TCS World 10K (2014 & 2016), Swati Gadhave and 5000M Federation Cup 2019 Champion Parul Chaudhary.

Steeplechase National Record Holder and course-record holder at the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K Avinash Sable leads the men’s line-up and will face some stiff competition from Winner of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2018 Abhishek Pal (1:04:14), who is also a product of the Elite Distance Running Program (EDRP) that was initiated by Procam International along with SAI and Global Sports Communications.  Sable and Pal will be joined at the starting line-up by Podium Finisher at the Tata Mumbai Marathon, Kalidas Hirave along with G Lakshmanan, Winner of the TCS World 10K 2016 (30:34) 

Commenting on its 12^th edition, Joint Managing Director Procam International, Vivek Singh shared, “As we move into the twelfth edition of this run, we are delighted that the TCS World 10K holds a place of pride in the city. With some of the most respected runners gracing this run, this race truly is a favorite among champions. Today, the event has transcended sport and positively impacted the city with our Cubbon Park Rejuvenation project and the Madiwala Lake Urban Forest. Our efforts towards being a 100% waste managed race is bearing fruit and we are constantly working on sustainable options. 

Continuing, he added, “As always, we are grateful to for all the efforts the civic authorities put into the race to ensure that this race is executed in a world-class manner. The team at Procam International, our partners and all our enthusiastic participants are thankful for their support.”

ECO-STRIDE –STEP FORWARD IN WASTE MANAGEMENT

Apart from being a globally acclaimed sporting event, the TCS World 10K has created a phenomenal impact in terms of social change and established itself as the largest sporting charity platform in South India.

The event is committed to putting the environment first and has successfully undertaken projects such as the Madiwala Lake Urban Forest and Cubbon Park Water Rejuvenation.  In the last few years, the event has also proactively been implementing sustainable measures to mitigate the waste generation in a mass participation event.

These initiatives primarily focus on the reduction of Plastic, Waste Segregation & Management and Distribution of Food Waste in partnership with the BBMP and Hasiru Dala Innovations, a social enterprise- focused on creating better livelihoods for waste pickers. They will spear-head and advise on different eco-friendly alternatives to ensure efficient waste management and over-see last mile disposal and consequent recycling plans.

Some of the initiatives for the 2019 edition of the run are highlighted below:

Limited Plastic Use

• Flex, which is a challenging material to recycle is now being replaced by Cloth for all the branding requirements on race day. All the cloth banners will be taken back by us for re-use in future events.
• Medals to be handed to runners in cloth pouches
• Bibs at the expo, will be distributed to the runners directly and without plastic envelopes
• Food and Refreshments on Race Day to be given out in handy, reusable cloth bags
• Goody Bags handed out in the expo to be also made from Cloth.
• Plastic trash bags will be replaced by HDPE re-usable bags 

BYOB (Bring your own BOTTLE)

• Encouraging runners to carry personal bottles on race day that can be re-filled en-route at Water Stations and from Water Bubbles provided at the Refreshment Area.
• Drinking water at the venue and along the route, to be provided in 100% recyclable paper cups without plastic lining.
• Limited single-use mineral water bottles to be provided at the finish line of the race, while NO bottles will be available throughout the 10KM of the race route.

Waste Segregation and Management | A Zero to Landfill Commitment

• Strategically placed wet and dry waste bins to encourage participants and attendees to dispose waste consciously which will encourage waste segregation at source.
• Excess food to be distributed through NGOs to communities that will benefit.
• Directly connecting with the waste-picker community to ensure that they benefit from Waste generated as an added incentive apart from the part-time job opportunity.
• Food Waste to be collected for processing in a Bio-Gas facility.
• All paper cups will be recycled
• Any non recyclable waste will be sent for co-processing as per SWM Rules

Medals for Majja Run | Recycled from leftover medals

For the first time at TCS World 10K, medals will be handed out to Majja Runners and for the first time, these medals are recycled from the leftover medals stocked over the years from previous events. The leftover medals amounting to 550 kg were melted and the molten produce used to create the Majja Run medals.

Drop-off Buses for 10K runners | Reducing carbon emissions

Around 100 buses will be plying early morning on Race day, picking up 10km runners from various points across the city and taking them to the Kanteerava Stadium. This initiative is going to benefit the environment with fewer vehicles on road and help the runners find transport in the wee hours of the morning. Travelling together also encourages bonhomie among fellow runners.

Mirchi Get Active Expo

To be held at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in 20^th Main Road, 8^th Block, KHB Games Village, Koramangala, the Mirchi Get Active Expo on the 16^th, 17^th & 18^thof May will be a haven for runners and fitness enthusiasts alike. On Thursday & Friday, the expo will remain open between 10:30 am to 7:00 pm and on Saturday from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. Registered runners will need to visit the expo to collect their running bibs. Runners can also, participate in exclusive runners meet, and avail exciting offers by leading sports brands on their visit to the expo.