Bengaluru, May 14 (IANS): Kenyas Alex Korio will return to Bengaluru and defend his TCS World 10K title, taking on his compatriot and IAAF World Half Marathon winner Geoffrey Kamworor at this years race on May 27, it was announced on Monday.

Korio, who also won this race in 2013, had a stunning 2017. In addition to winning in impressive fashion in Bengaluru when beating a world-class field by 14 seconds last May, he reduced his half marathon best to 58:51 in Copenhagen later in the year.

However, the 27-year-old Korio will come to the Indian race with a point to prove after having to drop out in the world championship event in Valencia back in March.

In addition to Korio and the 2012 and 2014 TCS World 10K champion Kamworor, whose presence was announced last week), another two-time winner in Bengaluru to return for this year's race is Ethiopia's Mosinet Geremew, who took the title in 2015 and 2016.

Geremew was among the favourites for last year's race after his two previous wins but faded to 10th. However, his two outings so far this year have resulted in stunning victories, with him winning both the Yangzhou Half Marathon in China and the Dubai Marathon, the latter in a world-leading 2:04:00 which makes him the 12th fastest man ever over the classic distance.

Fellow Ethiopian Leul Gebresilase, who was just two seconds behind Geremew in Dubai to take the runner up spot there, will also be on the start line in Bengaluru.

The fastest man in the field is another Ethiopian, Birhanu Legese, who has had success in the past on Indian soil and twice won the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon.

Leading the Asian challenge will be Bahrain's Abraham Cheroben, who finished second behind Kamworor in Valencia. The Asian half marathon record holder is anticipated to be in contention for a place on the podium in Bengaluru.