June 9: Boston Champ Des Linden And Top Three Finishers Sarah Sellers And Krista DuChene Lead NYRR New York Mini 10K Field
World’s original all-women’s road race to be broadcast live from Central Park on USATF.TV
Press Release
May 8, 2018
New York – The top three finishers from this year’s Boston Marathon – Des Linden, Sarah Sellers, and Krista DuChene – will line up together again in Central Park on Saturday, June 9 at the NYRR New York Mini 10K, a historic event that was established in 1972 as the world’s first road race exclusively for women.
“The NYRR New York Mini 10K started as the world’s original all-women’s road race and has developed into an annual star-studded event that attracts a world-class pro field,” said Peter Ciaccia, president of events for NYRR and race director of the TCS New York City Marathon. “New York City is in for a real treat this year with Des, Sarah and Krista all lining up together at the start line for the first time since racing to the podium in Boston. We are excited to bring this race to the roads in New York City, and to fans around the globe through our broadcast on USATF.TV.”
Linden, 34, of Washington Township, MI, became the first American to win the women’s open division at the Boston Marathon in 33 years last month, clocking in at 2:39:54 in the face of rain and blustering winds. Previously, Linden had finished at runner-up at the 2010 Chicago and 2011 Boston marathons and fifth-place in Berlin in 2013 and New York in 2014. She was forced to drop out of the London 2012 Olympic Marathon with an injury, but got her redemption four years later in Rio by finishing seventh. She will be racing the NYRR New York Mini 10K for the fifth time.
“I’m still very much riding high from my Boston Marathon victory,” Linden said. “I felt like it would be best to take that energy and momentum to another race that is dear to my heart. This will be my fifth NYRR New York Mini 10K. I love the course, the atmosphere, and the significant history of the event and look forward to sharing the roads of Central Park with all the competitors on race day.”
Sellers, 26, of Tucson, AZ, is a full-time certified registered nurse anesthetist who finished in a surprising second place behind Linden at the Boston Marathon in what was just her second attempt at the 26.2-mile distance. It was the first time two Americans have finished first and second in Boston in the open division since 1979. A former track and field athlete at Weber State, Sellers was a nine-time Big Sky champion from 2009-13 and earned Big Sky All-Conference honors 15 times in track and field and cross country.
“My runner-up finish in the Boston Marathon was like a dream come true, and gave me a completely new idea of what’s possible,” Sellers said. “I have never been to New York City before and I am really looking forward to racing there against an incredible field of women in the NYRR New York Mini 10K.”
DuChene, 41, of Canada took third place at the Boston Marathon last month in the open division and first in the master’s division, crossing the finish line in 2:44:20. In 2016, the mother of three placed 35th at the Rio Olympic Marathon behind teammate Lanni Marchant; they were the first Canadian women to run in the Olympic Marathon since 1996.
“Running my first NYRR New York Mini 10K will be a fun and exciting opportunity to keep empowering and celebrating women in sport,” DuChene said. “Doing so with the two incredible women whom I shared a podium at the 2018 Boston Marathon makes it that much more special. Placing third was more than I could ever ask or imagine. At any age, stage or size we can be active, feel great, draw on others’ support, and show all women that anything is possible.”
Founded in 1972 as the six-mile Crazylegs Mini Marathon, the NYRR New York Mini 10K got its name when race founder Fred Lebow convinced the sponsor to support a six-mile “mini” marathon—named for the miniskirt, a big fashion trend of the times. Seventy-two women finished that first race, which helped show that women deserved to run in road races as much as their male counterparts. Three weeks later, Title IX was signed into law, guaranteeing women the right to participate in school sports and creating new opportunities for female athletes. The International Olympic Committee added the women’s marathon to the Olympic program for the first time at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, a decision sparked by the growth of women’s road racing, which was led by the success of the Mini.
From those who led the way 46 years ago, such as race legends Kathrine Switzer and Nina Kuscsik and the event’s inaugural champion Jacqueline (Marsh) Dixon, to the 199,733 women who have finished the race since 1972, the NYRR New York Mini 10K has served as one of the most impactful women’s races in running history.
The 10K race will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Central Park West at 61st Street and will finish at 67th Street on West Drive. Runners will vie for a first-place prize of $10,000 in the open division with the pro race scheduled to be broadcast live on USATF.TV.
The third annual Rising New York Road Runners at the NYRR New York Mini 10K, a 1.2-mile race for girls ages 12-18, will kick off race day at 7:25 a.m. The Girls’ Run will start at the same Columbus Circle location as the 10K and will head up Central Park West before entering Central Park and finishing at the 72nd Street Transverse. For the first time, all participants of the Girls’ Run will receive a free pair of New Balance running shoes donated by Citi.