There is a primal urge etched into our very DNA, a whisper from our evolutionary previous. It is the urge to run. Perhaps it’s the reminiscence of chasing prey throughout the savanna, the determined dash from a lurking predator, or the exhilarating freedom of motion. Whatever the rationale, working has turn into ingrained within the human expertise.
But past the echoes of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, why will we lace up our footwear in the present day? The causes are as various because the runners themselves. Some search the bodily problem, the endorphin rush that washes over them with every stride. For others, it’s a meditative journey, a time for introspection and quiet contemplation. The rhythmic pounding of toes on pavement could be a type of self-expression, a launch from the every day grind.
Running transcends age, means, and background. Evidence: NS Dattatreya, 96, who’s gearing up for the TCS World 10K in Bengaluru this Sunday, with 30,000-plus members throughout on-ground and digital classes.
Dattatreya will not be your typical nonagenarian. He is an inspiration to runners throughout India, a defiant drive who has conquered over 100 marathons and walkathons. His health journey, which started after retiring from the State Bank of Mysore in 1989, has seen him remodel from an occasional participant in sporting occasions to a champion.
Time appears to give up at his toes.
Though he participates in whichever long-distance races he can, the TCS World 10K is particular to him for two causes. One is that it’s occurring 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 cause 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.”
NS Dattatreya
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Special Arrangement
‘New home, new route’
Partnering with the Indian Army, the 2024 TCS World 10K Bengaluru finds a new dwelling on the iconic Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw Parade Ground. Pre-race actions will kick off on the Rajendra Sinhji Army Officers Institute (RSAOI), culminating in a race by means of the guts of Bengaluru. Runners will go previous Ulsoor Lake for a scenic three-kilometer stretch earlier than tackling a strategically designed course with minimal U-turns for the Open 10K. This new route, crafted in collaboration with Bengaluru Police, showcases town’s spirit – ‘Endendigu Bengaluru’ (Boundless Bengaluru). Participants will run previous Chinnaswamy Stadium, the High Court, and the majestic Vidhana Soudha.
“This year’s event is all about new experiences,” says Vivek Singh, the co-founder of Procam International, which runs the occasion. “We wanted to avoid simply cramming more people into Kanteerava Stadium (the previous venue of the event), even though it would have been easier for us. It’s a new home, a new route – so, it’s incredibly exciting.”
“This year, for the first time ever, we’ll have a post-race party in the park featuring artists from Saregama,” he provides, “Plus, we have the legendary (shotputter from New Zealand) Valerie Adams joining us! A four-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, she’s an incredible role model and a true advocate for women in sports. It’s going to be an amazing event.”
With a whole prize of USD 210,000, the occasion has attracted a few of the main Indian and worldwide athletes and novice runners from throughout the globe. Winners within the Indian Men’s and Women’s classes will be awarded ₹2,75,000 every. Furthermore, a record-breaking efficiency might see them take dwelling a further ₹2,00,000.
The elite Indian girls’s discipline heats up with defending champion Tamshi Singh, aiming for back-to-back titles. Harmanjot Singh, final 12 months’s runner-up, will return to problem within the Indian males’s class.
Running for others
For business pilot Asmita Handa, working is ingrained in her every day routine. It is an exercise she has cherished since faculty. Layovers disrupt her schedule, however eight hours of relaxation are sacrosanct. She kilos the pavement — morning or evening. An area observe at all times awaits her laced-up footwear. “After long stretches in the cockpit, a pilot needs to loosen up, and running does the trick,” she says.
Asmita Handa
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Special Arrangement
Childbirth in 2010 compelled a hiatus from working, and being pregnant’s hormonal shifts demanded a cautious return. Discipline and consistency, Asmita’s guiding ideas, noticed her begin gradual — 5 to 10-kilometre runs. Once a sprinter, a newfound love for longer distances emerged, constructing endurance. It grew to become a balancing act: cherishing motherhood whereas reclaiming health.
Asmita has now turn into a pacer, an skilled runner who guides others in a race by sustaining a set tempo. “At the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon last year, I saw the pure joy on the faces of runners I helped achieve their goals. It was a whole new level of satisfaction for me. Imagine someone texting you they couldn’t break an hour in their race, then crushing a 60-minute finish on race day thanks to your pacing! Seeing that pure elation truly motivates me now,” she says.
“Pacing is a lot like being a flight captain – you’re responsible for everyone on board. You don’t just fly solo; you take your passengers, crew, and ground staff with you. It’s about everyone working together, maintaining a steady pace, and encouraging each other to the finish line.”
For extra details about the occasion, go to tcsworld10k.procam.in
