Greetings from Bangalore, India! Constantina Dita (ASICS) and Edna Kiplagat (Nike) were featured in today’s activities and media events for the TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) World 10K Bangalore, which takes place this coming Sunday morning. Over 20,000 runners are expected for the race day events, which include the elite race, a people’s race, and also a fun run. TCS has put up a very attractive prize purse, featuring $21,000 for both the men’s and women’s champions on Sunday, going down to $1,000 for 10th place on each side.
Constantina is on hand as the Event Ambassador for this year’s race. Race organizers Procam have put her up in a beautiful two-room suite at the host ITC Windsor hotel in Bangalore. Her press conference yesterday was widely reported in the today’s Indian newspapers. This afternoon, she visited Shree Kenteereva Stadium to help V.D. Wadhwa, the Managing Director for Timex Group India, unveil the official timing clock and watch for this year’s race. Following this unveling, Constantina met about 100 athletes and coaches of the Bangalore youth track programs who were training at the stadium. In addition to the kids’ enthusiastic requests for autographs and photos, they also gave her numerous gifts, with earrings, necklaces, and a nifty new hat!
Coming off her ING New York City Marathon win and 2:20:46 in April’s Virgin London Marathon, Edna is one of this year’s featured invited athletes. She arrived early this morning after a circuitous travel route of Eldoret to Nairobi to Doha to Bangalore. After a well-earned nap, Edna also had a press conference at the stadium, and then stayed on hand to meet the young Indian athletes and their coaches.
Tonight’s featured event will be the Official Welcome Party at the beautiful colonial host hotel, the ITC Windsor, and the Kingfisher Fashion Night, during which Constantina will also strut the catwalk in an outfit created by the show’s top designer just for her.
