Olympians and Paralympians headline NYRR mini 10K

Some of distance racing’s most prominent athletes will be shoulder to shoulder in Central Park this weekend to compete in the 50th anniversary of the Mastercard New York Mini 10K operated by the New York Road Runners. Founded in 1972, it is the original women’s-only road race. Twelve Olympians and five Paralympians will vie for the title and spot on the podium in the women’s open and wheelchair divisions.

Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, the 2021 New York City Marathon winner and reigning Boston Marathon champion will headline a strong women’s contingent. She will be challenged by a formidable American group of runners led by Olympians Emily Sisson, Molly Seidel, Aliphine Tuliamuk, and Rachel (Schneider) Smith.

Veteran marathoner Edna Kiplagat of Kenya, who won the New York Mini 10K in 2012, will look to reclaim the top spot a decade later. The 42-year-old two-time world marathon (2011 and 2013) champion’s resume includes victories in the New York (2010), London (2014) and Boston (2017) marathons.

“Winning the New York City Marathon 12 years ago changed my life, and now, 10 years after also winning the Mini 10K, I still enjoy my racing and am happy to still be competing at a high level,” Kiplagat said.

“NYRR always invites the highest quality fields, so I always like lining up in New York with the best in the world. There are so many inspiring women who have participated in this race over the years who set a positive example for everyone—both runners and non-runners—and I’m lucky to be part of such a prestigious group.”

In the professional wheelchair division, competitors will attempt to defeat Susannah Scaroni, the only champion in the event’s short five-year history. She has won every race since the inclusion of the wheelchair division in 2018.

“The Mastercard New York Mini 10K is a special one to me for so many reasons, and I’m excited at the chance to race on what will be a milestone day for women’s running in Central Park,” said Scaroni. “…It is also one of the only women-only wheelchair races at the present time, which will hopefully pave the way for future generations of women’s wheelchair racers in the next 50 years.”