Champions and challengers assemble: TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2024 set for a thrilling race

TCS World 10K Bengaluru returns with a fresh start. New venue, scenic route & post-race party await runners.

There is a primal urge etched into our very DNA, a whisper from our evolutionary past. It is the urge to run. Perhaps it is the memory of chasing prey across the savanna, the desperate sprint from a lurking predator, or the exhilarating freedom of movement. Whatever the reason, running has become ingrained in the human experience.

But beyond the echoes of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, why do we lace up our shoes today? The reasons are as diverse as the runners themselves. Some seek the physical challenge, the endorphin rush that washes over them with each stride. For others, it is a meditative journey, a time for introspection and quiet contemplation. The rhythmic pounding of feet on pavement can be a form of self-expression, a release from the daily grind.

Running transcends age, ability, and background. Evidence: NS Dattatreya, 96, who is gearing up for the TCS World 10K in Bengaluru this Sunday, with 30,000-plus participants across on-ground and virtual categories. 

Dattatreya is not your typical nonagenarian. He is an inspiration to runners across India, a defiant force who has conquered over 100 marathons and walkathons. His fitness journey, which began after retiring from the State Bank of Mysore in 1989, has seen him transform from an occasional participant in sporting events to a champion. 

Time seems to surrender at his feet. 

Though he participates in whichever long-distance races he can, the TCS World 10K is special to him for two reasons. One is that it is happening in his hometown. “I am looking forward to the race day to meet runners from around the globe, to be on stage and inspire people,” he says.

The second reason is bittersweet. “I lost my second son to cancer. I know TCS supports cancer research through its marathon events. I hope that the funds raised by TCS might one day lead to a breakthrough.”