Sebastian Sawe aims TCS World 10K Bengaluru course record

Posted by: Watch Athletics

Ethiopian Sabastian Sawę, who clocked the world’s fifth fastest 10K in Germany last month, has set his sights on taking down the course record at the prestigious Tata Consultancy Services World 10K Bengaluru on Sunday.

Sawe clocked an impressive 26.49 last month, that puts the TCS World 10K Bengaluru men’s course record of 27:38 held by Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli (Kenya) last year at risk. In Germany Sawe also beat Kimeli, who finished third in a strong time of 26:54, and told the media on Friday that he is also in great form to better his personal best.

“I’m feeling good, and my shape has been good too, so I will try to do my personal best on Sunday. My goal for the year has been consistency, so I’ve been training hard but also making sure that I am not overstretching myself. I would say preparation leading up to the race has been very smooth,” Sawe told reporters.

Kipkorir said he has prepared strongly to defend his crown. “I’m excited to be back in Bengaluru and I am excited to defend my title. I know my peers are also eager to perform so I am sure it will be very competitive. I know the course and have done well here so I believe it is an advantage. Last year, the race was not easy at all. I was pushed really hard. It is important to maintain your shape consistently if you want to do well,” he said.

“You can never judge what will happen on race day. That is the nature of the competition. Hopefully we can push each other to break the course record,” he added.

Stephen Kissa, a Ugandan national marathon champion with a time of 2:04.48, speaking to reporters said: “I like running in India, and I am expecting the weather to be good as well. I think the level of competition means; we can assist each other to get faster.”

Ethiopia’s Tsehay Gemechu, runner-up at this year’s Tokyo Marathon, is a hot favourite for the women’s title. The women’s course record of 30:35 is by Irine Cheptai of Kenya. “My favourite surface is road. I have done good training and I will try to do my best on Sunday. I think I need more speed and after the Tokyo race I have been working on more speed,” she said.

The 2023 TCS World 10K Bengaluru on Sunday, May 21, is a USD 210,000 World Athletics Gold Label Road Race that will see the Elite men’s and women’s winners claim an identical USD 26,000 purse. Additionally, if an athlete breaks the course record on Sunday, they will bag a prize of USD 8,000.

MEN ELITE FIELD

1 Nicholas Kipkorir KEN 26:51
2 Sabastian Sawe KEN 26:49
3 Rodrigue Kwizera BUR 26:56
4 Mathew Kimeli KEN 27:07
5 Chimdessa Debele ETH 27:10
6 Gemechu Dida ETH 27:12
7 Stephen Kissa UGA 27:13
8 Nibret Melak ETH 27:26
9 Patrick Mosin KEN 27:26
10 Birhanu Legese ETH 27:34
11 Milkesa Mengesha ETH 27:47 – 27:00.24
12 Maru Teferi ISR 28:18
13 Mark Lomuket KEN 28:27
14 Solomon Berihu ETH 28:55 – 27:02.26
15 Hillary Chepkwoni KEN Debut – 59:20 HM
16 Levy Kibet KEN Debut – 13:02 5km PB
17 Solomon Boit KEN 28:03 (PACER)
18 Kuma Dejene ETH 28:55
19 Embay Goitom ETH

WOMEN ELITE FIELD

1 Jesca CHELANGAT KEN 30:01
2 Vicoty Chepngeno KEN 30:14
3 Tsehay Gemechu ETH 30:15
4 Evaline Chirchir KEN 30:43
5 Zeineba Yimer ETH 30:46
6 Dera Dida ETH 30:51
7 Yalemget Yaregal Mekuriyaw ETH 30:54
8 Aberash Minsewo ETH 30:58
9 Faith Chepkoech KEN 31:03
10 Mercyline Cherono KEN 31:47
11 Aminet Ahmed ETH 31:56
12 Rahel Daniel ERI 32:23
13 Fotyen Tesfaye ETH 32:39
14 Magdalena Shauri TAN 32:40 – 66:37 HM
15 Birtukan Workineh ETH

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