TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2026: Omar Abdullah Headlines 36,000-Strong Runners As City Embraces Fitness Spirit

The TCS World 10K Bengaluru 18th edition drew over 36,000 runners under the summer sun on Sunday, 26 April 2026. The event in Bengaluru saw strong public support, with elite athletes, public figures, and amateur runners sharing the course in a display of fitness culture.

At the flag off, the global pull of the race was clear, with runners from many nations present. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, 56, started with his sons Zahid and Zamir. Abdullah finished in 50 minutes, six minutes ahead of both sons.

"It was a tough run. I started a bit too fast,t and then the humidity of Bangalore caught up with me. But the crowds were amazing," expressed Abdullah. He praised the passion for the course and said the public support gave runners

great energy.

"I've run in other cities as well. But the passion and the support that I saw from the crowds here in Bangalore were absolutely amazing. It really gives us a lot of energy. The arrangements, particularly from PROCAM and the administration of Karnataka and the Bangalore City, were very good," he added.

Among other noted participants in the Open 10K were Mysuru Maharaja and Member of Parliament Yaduveer KC Wadiyar. A past participant, he said the run helped him connect with Bengaluru's active running community and spoke of plans to complete his Procam Slam across four cities.

"The TCS World 10K is a wonderful event; it has good energy and a good vibe. It's been a pleasure to revive that interest in running through this year's 10K. Hopefully, I will be able to go through and do the races in Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai to complete my Procam Slam. "

Hon'able Deputy CM of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar said, "I would like to thank TCS for taking the initiative to organise the event in Bengaluru. They are doing a great job, and it is the need of the hour. There were more than 36,000 participants taking part today, underlining the growth of running culture in the city and the country. "

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya also joined the Open 10K, running alongside his wife Sivashree, who made her 10K debut. Surya clocked 61 minutes and then waited at the finish line, cheering as she completed the distance after months of focused training.

He said, "My wife is incredible. She isn't a natural runner. She has put in so much effort in the past few months. She's getting better. It just shows that whoever puts in the necessary training, you can actually make it happen. All those early morning runs in Lalbagh, all of that is finally paying off. And I'm so, so proud of what she's done. "

For 42-year-old Saloni Arora, the Open 10K marked her 10th race at the TCS World 10K. I ran at an easy pace and completed in 62 minutes. I also happened to meet the man I married here while participating in the TCS World 10K. So, this event is special in many ways for me. "

The 18th edition underlined Bengaluru's growing focus on fitness as a way of life. Runners of many ages and abilities shared the course, and organisers highlighted that neither physical disabilities nor age stopped participants from taking part in the city's flagship 10K event.