Open 10K

Confirmation Criteria of Open 10K of TCSW10K Bengaluru 2027

Entry to the Open 10K race category will be confirmed based on the ‘confirmation criteria’ explained in detail below:

I] Timed Runner 

1. For 2027 edition, registration in this criterion is on the basis of timing qualification as per the age bracket and gender (given below in point 2).

2. Timings of only 10 km, 5 km, half marathon (21.097 km), 25 km, and marathon (42.195 km) distances conducted at an on-ground event will be considered to qualify for the Open 10K category. 

Note: For individuals wanting to participate in the Open 10K and may not have the required qualifying timing cut-off in respective age groups as given below, they can opt to apply under the Charity Running Places criterion (criterion no. V – Charity Running Places). 

(a) Where submitting finish time of 10 km distance:

(b) Where submitting finish time of 5 km distance:

(c) Where submitting finish time of Half Marathon (21.097 km) distance:

(d) Where submitting finish time of 25 km distance:

(e) Where submitting finish time of Marathon (42.195 km) distance:

3. Applicants will get their confirmation after 10 working days of registration.

4. Applicants can submit timing certificates only from those running events where the Race Promoters/Organisers comply with the below-mentioned guidelines for timing certificates to be considered under the confirmation criteria. If any of the guidelines are not followed, or if substantial issues/complaints arise regarding timing accuracy, course distance, operational conduct, technical management, or runner verification, Procam International reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject timing certificates from such events. Procam’s decision in this regard shall be final and binding. 

1. The running event must have been conducted within 18 months preceding the race day (25th April 2027), i.e., on or after 1^st October 2025. 
2. The course must be measured and certified by an AIMS / World Athletics accredited measurer (Grade A or Grade B) using the calibrated bicycle method (Jones Counter or equivalent), in accordance with the standards prescribed in the AIMS / World Athletics publication “The Measurement of Road Race Courses.” 
   Only courses measured and certified under these standards will be considered valid. 
   The AIMS / World Athletics International Course Measurement Certificate must be uploaded on the official event website and remain publicly accessible at all times. 
3. All runners must be compulsorily timed using RFID technology. 
4. Timing tags must be securely affixed to the bib prior to distribution. Loose timing chips/tags must not be handed directly to runners. 
5. In addition to timing mats at the Start and Finish gates, the following minimum split timing mats are mandatory: 
   • Full Marathon (42.195 km) – Minimum 3 split-point mats 
   • 25 km – Minimum 2 split-point mats 
   • Half Marathon (21.097 km) – Minimum 2 split-point mats 
   • 10 km & 5 km – Minimum 1 split-point mat 
6. Provisional race results must be published within 12 hours of the official race close time. Final race results and downloadable timing certificates must be available online and verifiable. Split timings from the minimum required mats must be clearly visible. Certificates showing insufficient splits or missing split data will not be accepted. 

5. The qualification timings mentioned above (point 2) will be considered only for confirmation eligibility of an applicant in the Open 10K race category. Timing results, rankings and certificates of the TCS World 10K 2027 will be generated only for runners who complete the 10 Km distance within 1 hour 30 minutes from their start time.

6. Please note, that accepting timing certificates of an event for entry confirmation is at the sole discretion of the Event Promoter, Procam International. 

7. GUIDELINES FOR RACE PROMOTERS / ORGANISERS AND ADVISORY FOR RUNNERS

If any guideline is not followed, or if substantial issues/complaints arise regarding timing accuracy, course distance, operational conduct, technical management, or runner verification, Procam International reserves the right to reject timing certificates from such events. Procam’s decision in this regard shall be final and binding.

1. Event Date Requirement

The running event must have been conducted 18 months preceding race day i.e. 25^th April 2027.

2. No Claim as Official Qualifier

The event must not state — verbally, in writing, or by implication — that it is an “official qualifier” for any Procam event, including but not limited to:

• TCS World 10K Bengaluru
• Tata Mumbai Marathon
• Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon
• Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata

This restriction applies across all communication platforms including:

• Website
• Social media
• Marketing material
• Press releases
• Email communication
• Certificates

Any misleading representation may lead to disqualification of timing certificates from that event.

3. Course Measurement Standards

To ensure distance accuracy, fairness, and integrity of qualifying  performance, the following standards are mandatory:

3.1 Measurement Authority

The course must be measured by:

• An AIMS / World Athletics accredited measurer (Grade A or Grade B)
• Using the calibrated bicycle method (Jones Counter or equivalent)
• Course measurement must strictly follow the standards prescribed in the AIMS / World Athletics publication “The Measurement of Road Race Courses.” The latest version of the document may be accessed via the official AIMS website. (https://aims-worldrunning.org/course-measurement.html)

Only courses measured and certified under these standards will be considered valid.

3.2 Race Day Course Compliance 

a) Deviation & Re-Certification Clause   
If any deviation from the originally certified course is identified — whether intentional or accidental — the modified course must be re-measured and re-certified by the accredited course measurer.

Failure to obtain such re-certification shall result in:

• Timing certificates from that edition of the event are not considered for Procam races.

b) Short Course Clause and not accepting timing for Procam events   
If the course is found to be short for any reason whatsoever — including but not limited to:

• Incorrect course layout
• Altered turning points
• Barricading errors
• Operational mismanagement
• Measurement discrepancies

Then:

• No timing certificate from any race category of that specific edition of the event will be considered for Procam races.

Procam International’s determination in such matters shall be final and binding.

3.3 Public Disclosure

An AIMS / World Athletics International Course Measurement Certificate must be:

• Uploaded on the official event website
• Publicly accessible at all times

The certificate must include:

• Race name and distance
• Certificate number
• Name and grade of the accredited measurer
• Measurement date and validity period

If the event does not have an official website or digital presence, the course measurement certificate must be emailed to: tcsworld10k@procam.in 

Failure to provide verifiable course measurement certificate may result in rejection of timing certificates. 

4. Timing System Requirements

Accurate and tamper-proof timing is mandatory.

4.1 RFID Timing (Compulsory)

• All runners must be timed using RFID technology.
• Timing tags must be securely affixed to the bib prior to distribution.
• Loose timing chips must not be handed directly to runners.

4.2 Minimum Split Timing Mats

In addition to timing mats at the Start and Finish gates, the following minimum split mats must be installed:

• Full Marathon (42.195 km) – Minimum 3 split-point mats
• 25 km – Minimum 2 split-point mats
• Half Marathon (21.097 km) – Minimum 2 split-point mats
• 10 km & 5 km – Minimum 1 split-point mat

4.3 Results Timeline

• Provisional results must be published within 12 hours of the official race close time.
• Final results and downloadable timing certificates must be made available online.
• Split timings from the minimum required mats must be clearly visible.

Certificates showing insufficient splits or missing split data will not be accepted.

5. Runner Verification & Anti-Cheat Mechanisms

To maintain race integrity, organisers must implement robust verification and anti-cheat measures.

5.1 Runner Identity Verification

Adequate mechanisms must be in place to confirm that:

• The individual who registered is the same individual who ran the race.

Examples include:

• Bib-photo matching
• ID verification at bib collection
• Controlled bib distribution process

5.2 Anti-Cheat Infrastructure

The event must ensure:

• Functional timing mats at required split points
• Operational cameras at key junctions (with footage available for verification if required)
• On-ground officials stationed at crucial course points

If a substantial number of finishers show missing split data or irregular timing patterns, Procam reserves the right to not accept certificates from that event.

6. Operational Integrity on Race Day

Even if all pre-event guidelines are met, race-day execution must ensure full operational integrity.

If any operational issues occur on race day — including but not limited to:

• Shorter course distance
• Incorrect route deviation
• Missing or malfunctioning timing mats
• Unauthorised course alterations
• Technical failures impacting timing accuracy

and such issues are formally highlighted, verified, and proven to have materially impacted timing results, Procam International, will not accept timing certificates from that event for qualification purposes, even if the organiser has otherwise complied with the defined guidelines.

We encourage each race to appoint a designated team member as an Observer, who will be responsible for ensuring adherence to race measurement standards and guidelines, on Race Day .

Procam’s decision in such cases shall be final .

7. Acceptable Event Categories

Eligible qualifying performances must be from on-ground distance:

• 5 km
• 10 km
• Half Marathon
• 25 km
• Full Marathon
• Timed relay events where an individual covers at least 5 km

The following are not accepted:

• Virtual events
• Trail runs
• Uncertified races

Timing certificates must reflect net (chip) time from the certified course.

Each Procam event may prescribe distinct qualifying distance requirements. Organisers and runners are advised to refer to the official confirmation criteria of the respective event before relying on a timing certificate for qualification purposes.

II] Women’s Criteria (Timed runner only) 

To encourage women's participation, a limited number of running places reserved for women applicants within the Open 10K category. Women applicants under this criterion will need to submit a timing certificate from a distance running event, with net finish time fulfilling the guidelines mentioned in “Timed Runner” criteria given above, to get confirmed. Registration in this criterion will be on a first come first served basis. 

III] Youth Age Criteria (Timed runner only)

To encourage participation among young runners aged 15 to 21 years as on 25.4.2027, a limited number of running places are reserved under the Youth Age Criteria within the Open 10K category. Applicants under this criterion will need to submit a timing certificate from a distance running event, with a net finish time fulfilling the guidelines mentioned in ‘Timed Runner’ criteria given above, to get confirmed. Registration in this criterion will be on a first come first served basis. 

IV] Good for Silver (65+) Age criteria (Timed runner only)

To encourage participants aged 65 years and above as on 25.4.2027, a limited number of running places are reserved under Good for Silver Age Criteria within the Open 10K. Applicants under this criterion will need to submit a timing certificate, from a distance running event, with net finish time fulfilling the guidelines mentioned in ‘Timed Runner’ criteria given above, to get confirmed. Registration in this criterion will be on a first come first served basis.

V] Charity Running Places

NGOs registered with the event's philanthropy partner, United Way Bengaluru, have been allotted limited charity running places, which can be availed by applicants directly through the participating NGOs mentioned here https://tcsw10kuwbe.org/ngos on first come first served basis. Applicants, under charity running places, will also need to register online. For information on Charity Running Places and the list of participating NGOs, write to tcsw10K@uwbengaluru.org or log on to https://tcsw10kuwbe.org/

All applicants and confirmed participants of the TCS World 10K 2027 are requested to visit the event website: https://tcsworld10k.procam.in/ for regular updates.

Applicants who had applied for and got confirmed in the 10K race category will get allotted start waves for race day (25th April 2027) based on the finish timings mentioned on respective timing certificates submitted at the time of application.