New York Mini 10K 2022 Race Recap

We flew via NYC on our way back home from Charleston for our ‘20 week scan‘, and when I saw that the NYRR Women’s Mini 10K was on that weekend, I decided to stay for an extra day in the city. I’ll never pass an opportunity to run a NYRR race!

Not ‘racing’ the 10K on Saturday meant that I prioritised watching the elite women start before getting into my own corral. It was a stacked field of runners for the 50th anniversary of the race, including Sara Hall, Charlotte Purdue, Aliphine Tuliamuk, Keira D’Amato, Stephanie Bruce, Peres Jepchirchir and more! I was excited to watch them warming up and crossing the start line. The race is actually named after the Miniskirt, and was first run in 1972 to empower women in fitness of all ages. These days whilst it is open to men, there were nearly 7000 women, 454 men and 5 non-binary runners.

Pre-race I did a 1.5 mile warm up with Helli (mostly so that I could drop a bag off at Zoe’s to pick up the following day after my long run), we used the loo and I let Helli continue her warm up.

My plan for the race; complete my threshold interval workout. 4 x 7 mins at 7.45 pace with 2 min recovery jogs.

I joined the race after watching the elites and tried to hit a 7.45 min mile pace straight off. My HR went sky high and I worried I couldn’t hold the pace for even one-rep. I struggle with race nerves, even when I’m not actually racing! I chatted about it with Mitch (Helli’s husband) post-race and we talked about trying to do a mental warm up before workouts and long runs to prep for those inevitable race-day nerves.

The first mile is fast and downhill…but having not started in the proper corral (NYRR seed you based on previous race performance) I found myself getting stuck behind other runners and having to weave to get through. About 4 mins in to the first set I calmed down and before I knew it, the first of my four reps was over. And bang on pace…7.44.

I spotted Mitch and Ben (a photographer I’d met on my last NYC trip – he took the two action pics!) during my 2 min recovery and before I knew it, it was time to push again.

Set 2 – 7.40, Set 3 – 7.51 (with a brutal hill!), Set 4 – 7.38. I ran the final 1.5 miles easyish, although I definitely got carried away in the last 800m as everyone picked up the pace to the finish line.

Final finish time 51.26

It was pretty muggy and warm on race day – and I don’t think I drank enough water pre-race which are all good things to continue to practice this Summer. Including getting better at actually drinking out of cups! The course has changed this year to make it faster, although there are still a few rolling hills in there, it is Central Park after all.

I really enjoyed the race, far more than the Queens 10K that I’ve done a couple of times (although the course is a little more rolling!) But perhaps that’s just because I love running in Central Park.

Post-race we enjoyed iced coffees and oatmeal raisin cookies at Tavern on the Green – all in all a VERY enjoyable morning!

Race FAQ

Course – starting on Central Park West at 90th St, you then head south turning into Central Park at 72nd St. You then loop around the park

Packet pickup – up to 10 days before race day at the NYRR Run Centre, or on race morning near the finish line

Bag drop – there’s a secure area for bag drop near the finish line

Aid Stations – there were four water stations on course, with Gatorade Endurance at two of the aid stations (at least!)

Loos/Bathrooms – porta loos at the start, finish line and four places on course!

How much is entry? Race entry is via NYRR and part of their 9+1 Marathon programme, I paid $45 for entry.

Post-Race – water, Gatorade, pretzels, SIS carbohydrate bar, apples plus an awesome 50th anniversary medal

Safety protocols – all runners needed to show proof of Vaccine, and had to wear face masks for pack pick up.