Where Your Dreams Become Reality
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Where Your Dreams Become Reality |
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Lornah Kiplagat, Benita Johnson Headline Circle of Friends New York Mini This Weekend NEW YORK (06-Jun-2006) -- The world's oldest road race for women, the Circle of Friends New York Mini 10-K, will celebrate its 35th running here on Saturday with a loaded field featuring ten Olympians from eight nations. "The professional field for this year's Circle of Friends New York Mini 10-K is as good as any women's field ever assembled," said Mary Wittenberg, CEO and President of the New York Road Runners, which founded and organizes the race. "The world-class credentials of these athletes honor the history of this groundbreaking event." Leading the field is two-time and reigning Mini champion, Lornah Kiplagat of the Netherlands. The 32 year-old from Groet is also the reigning European cross country champion and one of the world's best road racers. She has a 10,000m personal best of 30:12.53 and has run an eye-popping 30:32 on the road. "I am excited to return to New York City to try for my third win in the Circle of Friends New York Mini 10-K," said Kiplagat, who finished third at last Saturday's Freihofer's Run for Women 5-K in Albany, N.Y. "The crowds in Central Park are always very enthusiastic for this race and there is no doubt that we are bringing them one of the strongest fields ever." Kiplagat will be trying to beat Australian star, Benita Johnson, who beat Kiplagat last Saturday in Albany. Over the 10 kilometer distance she's run 30:37.68 on the track and 31:17 on the road, respectively, both Australian records. Splashing through the pouring rain, the victory in Albany last Saturday was Johnson's first in the United States on the road. She finished third at the Mini last year in 32:24. Jelena Prokopcuka, the reigning ING New York City Marathon Champion, will also line up on Saturday and try to nab her second road racing win in Manhattan. Mostly known as a marathoner, Prokopcuka is fleet of foot at 10-K, with a track and road bests of 31:04.10 and 31:33, respectively, both Latvian records. She finished second at the Mini last year in 32:18. Other Olympic stars include three-time Olympic medalist, Gete Wami of Ethiopia, who is coming off of a 31:13 10-K personal best at the BUPA Great Manchester Run last month; Natalia Berkut of Ukraine, who was second in Albany last Saturday and who set a national 10-K record at Manchester in 31:14 last month; Amy Rudolph of Providence, R.I., a two-time Olympian with a 31:18.96 10,000m track best; Jen Rhines of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., another two-time Olympian with 10 km track and road bests of 31:26.66 and 32:19, respectively; Yuri Kano of Japan, who finished fifth at the Mini last year; and Bruna Genovese of Italy, a marathoner with a 10-K road best of 33:15. In all, the field boasts 11 women who have run sub-32:00 on the track. The Circle of Friends New York Mini 10-K is a women-only race in Central Park led by a field of professional runners and offers a $30,000 prize purse with $10,000 for the winner and a $5,000 bonus to anyone who breaks the Central Park and event record of 30:29, set in 2002 and only 8 seconds off the current 10-K world record. More details on the race can be seen at the website of the New York Road Runners at http://www.nyrr.org NOTE: David Monti provides professional athlete consulting for the New York Road Runners
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Cross Country Spikes 10% off Injured?
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