World 10K Bengaluru: Kamworor, Netsanet raring to go

BENGALURU: The TCS World 10K Bengaluru on Sunday has all the ingredients of a blockbuster. From the reigning world half marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, often spoken about as the best road runner of the current lot, defending champion Alex Korio, to the only runner to defend his title (2015, 16) on the roads of Bengaluru, Mosinet Geremew, it's an star-studded men's field.
Not to be left behind, the women's elite field will feature reigning world champion and half marathon world record holder Netsanet Gudeta alongside the fast rising Agnes Tirop among others.
"I always say that the finish of the race is when the next one starts," said Kamworor on Friday. A mentality that his fellow competitors share.
Making his first competitive return since winning the World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia in March, Kamworor is raring to go, an attribute he credits to his passion.
"I went to Valencia as defending champion and I had to prepare really well. I knew it was a strong field but I believed in myself. When I prepare (for a race) I have to be in love with it. I really believe in what I do. Winning the half marathon has motivated me. 2014 was great for me here," said the Kenyan who holds the course record of 27:44 seconds.
Also a star in the movie, The Unknown Runner – a story about the life of a Kenyan athlete's rise to fame – the 25-year-old is keen to motivate the world, just as he has been.
"I had to work very hard to get to where I am and with the film, the hope is to inspire people that anything is possible if you work hard and have the passion," he remarked with a smile.
His fellow runner Korio is feeling the pressure of defending his title in the Garden City and has left no stone unturned in his preparation, especially since he got injured ahead of the meet in Valencia.
"To win it for a second time will be good. I've been preparing for this race for two-and-a-half months," stressed the 12th fastest half marathoner of all time.
Meanwhile, Gudeta, a woman of few words, threw down the gauntlet, saying: "Everybody came here to win and I will try to win as well." Following her sixth-placed finish here in 2014, the Ethiopian, who holds the half marathon world record with a time of 66:11 seconds, is keen to make her mark.
"It's an opportunity to show that I can do it," she stressed.