June 6, 2026

I signed up for the Mastercard NYC Mini 10k for several reasons:

• I love NYC.
• I love running in Central Park.
• I ran this race last year and enjoyed it.
• All woman’s race – so inspiring.
• Elite runners do it! (Last year Fiona O’Keeffe, Emily Sisson, Dakotah Lindwurm, Sara Hall, Molly Huddle, Jessica McLain, Nell Rojas and others ran it.)
• 10k is one of my favorite distances.
• No Harlem Hill for this race (just Cat Hill & 3 sisters).
• I convinced 4 local running friends to do it and we all got in!!!!

Training:

If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. But I do try to do those 3 weekday short runs.  Unfortunately this year, my Achilles had been troublesome so I went to the chiro and only ran a few miles on Thursday…

but did get in some longer runs on the weekend (although the weekend before this race, it was only a 5k race): 5k- 10m – 10m

I knew about the HILLS that would taunt me during the race. I have run in this park and I ran the Shape Half Marathon, Fred LeBow Half twice, Central Park Half and many other shorter races (see pics below).

I even ran this race last year but I don’t remember much about it.

I had always wanted to run this race. However, it often conflicted with the Run for Women 5k or work. I finally got in in 2020 and then it was cancelled due to COVID. I logged on and crossed my fingers and got in last year.

This year, I convinced four of my local running friends to do the same.

And we ALL got in!

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

We all took an early train to Manhattan, dropped our bags at our hotel, grabbed lunch

NYC bagels!

and headed to NYRR Run Center to pick up our bibs and race shirts.

neon green…

It’s hard to rest your legs when in NYC.

It was brutally warm so we spent the rest of the afternoon at the Arte Museum (which was amazing).

Then returned to check into our hotel to check in and change clothes.

I was intend on enjoying myself and even had a drink before dinner…

and during (A race no no for me usually.) Though I did carb load with pizza.

Back at the hotel , I prepared for the next day and tried to get some sleep.

Race Day:

With many tourists partying before, during and after the Knicks game (and other NYC noise), I got very little if any sleep.

So around 5:00 am, I groggily ate my usual race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee that I had brought with me.

The perks of repeating a race was that I was relaxed regarding all the logistics.

Our hotel was on West 39th and 8th Avenue. We decided to do what I did last year and leave super early (6:30 am) and take the subway from 35th St & 8th Ave.

And it was crowded with runners!

We got off at 86th and followed all the runners to the start at 90th.

It was already warm. No need to worry about bag check or throw-aways.

I was in corral I and my friends in J, K, L. We joked that we had a mile shake out before reaching the start line.

We got there early but the time passed quickly.

Eventually we separated and entered our own corrals but made plans to meet somewhere near the finish line after the race.

Everyone was so friendly and excited about the race (though very worried about how hot it was already.)

a mother -daughter team in tutus rook this pic.

My Race Plan:

Do not get injured!!  (Hopefully my Achilles will cooperate.) And most importantly, have fun!!

I would most likely do a lot of walking… because there would be hills!!

I planned to stop and walk briefly at every water stop (so I wouldn’t get dehydrated) and to stop and walk longer to eat a gel around mile 4.

I was worried about the heat so I brought salt chews and took 2 before the race and planned take 2 more at the halfway point.

My estimated finish time would be around 1:15 (far from my 57:xx PR at this distance) and most likely slower than last year (1:07:18.)

Yup, expecting a PW but always hoping for better.

Anyway, here’s how the race went:

Course Map:

Elevation  according to Strava:

Miles 1-3:

As I mentioned above, I started in Corral I.

After the National Anthem, the wheelchair racers started, then the elites.

It only me took 5-10 minutes to get to the start line (though it felt longer.).

We started running on Central Park West (W90th St) and eventually entered the park at 72nd.

I was feeling good but tried to keep it slow due to the weather conditions. I also tried not to worry about my sore Achilles. It wasn’t painful but I felt like my gait was off and that I was running slower as a result.

Once in the park, we ran south. I think I ran until the first water stop about 1.5m in before I walked… I was sweating (and I rarely sweat). There were misting stations at each water stop. Boy, were they a welcome sight.

Eventually we turned and ran up the east side of the park.

It was crowded but I didn’t really need to weave in and out. I was not running that fast and for my pace, many runners walked intermittently.

As the race went on, the heat/humidity made me feel weaker and so I paced myself by walking up the hills and sprinting whenever I had enough energy.

There was a 2nd water stop around the 5k point… Two cups this time (one to drink and the other to pour on me) plus the misting station.

Miles 4-6.2:

Once we reached 102nd St, we looped around and headed back on the west side of the park toward 72nd where the race would finish.

I finally ate my Gu at the next water stop (around mile 4.5).

And now came more hills.

I am pretty sure I walked more the 2nd half of the race.

I didn’t care. I just wanted to finish upright.

I did give it my all on any straight away and/or downhills.

I decided I’d better eat 2 more salt chews.

I think there was one more water stop (around mile 5.5) and I lingered even longer than the previous ones.

It wasn’t just me. With this heat, it seemed by the crowds at the station stop that every runner was stopping and drinking.

I did feel good enough to sprint across the finish…

I didn’t check my time until much later.  It didn’t matter.

Post Race Activities:

I immediately got my medal, grabbed a heavy bag of food (water, Gatorade, apple, pretzels, bar…)

It was insanely crowded. Since I was finished before my friends, I waited in a long line and got some flowers

and posed for a quick pic.

I then moved to the stage area and texted my friends to meet me there.

There were lots to do if you wanted to fight the crowds and wait in lines: get autographs for the elites, get your medal signed, get an ice pop, go in the recovery tent, etc.

Once everyone had finished, we took a pic and headed out of the park.

tired, hot but happy!

As we exited the park, it was so inspiring to see all the runners happily finishing their race.

As we were waiting outside Starbucks, I spotted Elizabeth Clor.  I follow her on IG and so I fangirled and asked for a photo.

she recounted how she ended up in the medical tent after the race

We took a crowded subway back to our hotel, showered, changed, checked out of the hotel but left our bags there.

We had reservations for a celebratory  lunch…

and then headed to the theatre.

what an enjoyable show!!

We had enough time before our train to enjoy a delicious dessert.

Additional Race Reflections:

Running in the heat/humidity may not have been exactly fun. But at least without the rain this year, I could enjoy the pre and post-race experience. It was so much more fun sharing it with friends.

I was happy with my finish time. Yes, it was a 10K PW and more than 8 minutes slower on the same course last year.

but it was exactly what I expected on this course, with a sore Achilles and in these weather conditions.

Enough whining…I am so grateful to be able to visit NYC and run a race. And a race that included only women was just icing on the cake.

I am unbelievably happy that after the race, although my Achilles was sore, it wasn’t more sore than after previous races…

All in all, I thought this was a fun race.

The Good:

• Easy packet pick-up at Run Center and also race morning in the park).
• NYRR sponsored events before race day.
• Cool neon tank
• Bag Check if needed.
• Water at almost EVERY mile.
• Misting stations at each water stop
• Many porta-potties along the course in addition to real CP bathrooms
• Well marked course.
• Timing Clock at every mile.
• No Harlem Hill.
• Great crowd support!
• Los of volunteers as course marshals and at water stops
• Very cool medal.
• Immediate results.
• Flowers and other post-race perks.
• No Blisters.
• Racing with friends!!
• NYC activities before and after.

The Bad:

• HEAT!.
• Hills in Central Park. I did not do any training on hills (my bad).
• 6.3 miles (not 6.2)
• Not 100%  physically (sad Achilles)

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.

Do it if you can.  You won’t regret it (unless you hate hills lol).

No, it’s not an easy course. Only a little over 10,000 women runners usually participate so not a big race by NYC standards. And not an expensive one.

Final Stats:

Next Up:

June 20

This is the only race that I’ve run every year! This was my 19th time!!!!! (In 2020, it went virtual so actually my 18th in-person FRW race.)

It has always been held the Saturday after Memorial Day except in 2021, when due to COVID, the race was moved to September. In 2022, it again returned to its regular date.

on their webpage…can you spot me in the pink cap?

My first FRW was in 2008 (my first year of running). At the time, it was the farthest I’d ever run:

I mentored a beginning running group of moms in 2010 which was very rewarding:

Unfortunately, I’m the only one from this group who still runs.

In 2012, it was my first run after serious ankle surgery:

and this photo made the cover of our local paper.

I even ran it in 2013 after breaking my foot at mile 1:

And in 2019, it was the last race for my VT friend Andrea (who died of cancer).

As you can tell, there is a lot of history attached to this race for me.

In 2020, I was named an Ambassador. That honor continued through 2022.

Cari, recognize where that photo was taken?

Believe it not, I even chose to skip my high school reunion in 2022 in order to run this race!!

Then two years ago, they changed the name of the race!!

It’s now called the Sara Lee Delightful Run for Women.

Nevertheless, I knew that I would do this race (no matter what they called it).  I’m pretty sure I will always do this race!!

Unfortunately, in 2024, I had food poisoning the night before the race but I showed up and walked it with my friends.  And actually I had the most fun ever.

Last year, it poured and many of my friends did not go…

I did, of course.

Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:

As with this race every year, I never know what will happen… I could break my foot again (as I did in 2013) or could have a course PR as I did in 2018. Even have to walk the whole race. Most likely, it will just be a fun run with lots of women.

And this was also my tenth year participating in the Freihofer Training Challenge (TC).

 2022

This year, I decided again to become a Mentor.  I wanted to support all the runners who would be finishing their FIRST 5k. And connect with my “past TC” buddies, as well.

I volunteered on Wednesday evenings on the rail trail near where I live.

Many years ago, the day before I would walk to the Empire State Plaza concourse at lunch to go to the expo and pick up my race packet. They used to have a really big expo with vendors and health-related exhibits. But the past few years, they have held it at a local college.

As I did the past few years, I signed up to volunteer on Thursday evening at packet pick-up (and picked up my & Deb’s bib, shirt, cookies and bread)

48th this year and the shirt was gray…

and then I rushed off to my trail run.

The day before the race, I walked all day around the NY Botanical Gardens.  No rest for the weary.

Race Day:

I used to love to walk down Madison Avenue and see the race banners and see the giant poster on the bridge.

pics from 6 years ago…

They changed the course nine years ago. This course is supposedly faster…less congested and has a less steep hill at the start and finish.

course map

elevation according to my Garmin

I did run the newer course the past nine years and I also liked it better than the original..

heading downhill to the finish line

Now this year, they decided to change it again but only slightly.

start higher up on Washington Ave (less of an uphill) and more time in the park…

As I mentioned above, this was my 19th year for the race and I really wanted to continue my streak.

Most of my local running friends were not running the race this year. But Deb and I carpooled and parked in the parking garage. And for the second week in a row it was RAINING.

Being part of the Training Challenge group, I could hang out and stay dry and warm in their tent.

We all complained about the weather but knew that we would run the race no matter what.

Soon it was time to leave the tent for the Training Challenge group photo.

the group was bigger since many arrived too late for the photo.

Though, I didn’t enjoy mentoring as much as I used to, I was happy to be part of this amazing group of women.

Then we returned to the tent and waited until the last moment to head out into the rain…

more familiar faces… (Gail, Jenny & Linda)

I was scheduled to start in the red corral and squeezed into the crowd. I had taken off my jacket and initially regretted it as I shivered waiting for the race to start.

The good news was that the rain had stopped but it was quite windy and chilly.

a few elites… (Steph Bruce, Masters winner, on the right)

Mile 1:

my friend Gail (black leggings) so I am behind her somewhere…

The race began with a long steep uphill. And of course, it was super windy. With the new course, the hill was shorter. It was crowded but it was the wind that was the issue.

But I did run most of the hill… it was slow but I did it.

Mile 1 continued as we turned left and entered the park (and the hill ended).

There were rolling hills throughout the park. They were not bad and even I could run them without walking (but barely).

The worst part were all the potholes and cracks in the roads…And the puddles.  You had to weaving back and forth to avoid them and you had to keep your eyes peeled to the ground to make sure you didn’t trip.

Mile 2:

There was a water stop around mile 1.25. I wasn’t thirsty but I used it as an excuse to walk for a bit.

More rolling hills during this mile as you went around the park circling the lake. Only one of the hills was steep but it was very short.

I tried to pick up the pace for the second mile. I told myself that I would not walk until the next water stop but I did several times.

Soon we were getting toward exiting the park.

Mile 3-3.1:

There was a second water stop around mile 2.5. Again, I stopped for a drink (even though I didn’t need one) and walked longer than before.

Finally, we left the park and headed toward the street we started on.

It was a downhill (but unfortunately not as long as the previous course) and I had to remember not to start sprinting too soon. I’ve made that mistake in past years. Besides it was slippery from the rain.

Eventually I saw the 3-mile sign and I started to run as fast as I could while posing for the photographers and running though the finish line…

I crossed at 33:xx, a big PW…

I was surrounded by so many smiling faces.  It was hard to be disappointed.

Post Race Activities:

I got my medal and then headed toward the refreshments.  I grabbed a bagel, choclate milk and some pastries.

Then I returned to the tent to wait for Deb.

Our tent was next to the “elites'” tent but they were not there so they told us to grab some food – roast beef sandwich and potato salad 🙂

I checked my phone for the results.  5th in my age group. No award thisyear.

Additional Race Reflections:

Many runners were excited about their PR or their first 5k.. I may not have run a PR or even close. In fact, it was a course PW but I still really enjoyed myself.

Since I can never remember my finish times. I looked up my recent ones after the race.

• • 2014 – 28:51
  • 2015 – 29:22
  • 2016 -28:50
  • 2017 – 27:48
  • 2018 – 27:37 (PR)
  • 2019 – 27:47
  • 2021 – 28:16
  • 2022 – 28:24
  • 2023 – 29:41
  • 2024 – walked
  • 2025 – 31:28

I am pretty used to the fact that as I get older, I will be slower.  So my expectation for each race that I repeat is to have a course PW.

So this race did not disappoint and I had fun.

I guess I just enjoy racing.

When I checked the age group awards, I discovered that in my 70-74 age group, there were 50 runners!!! (So 5th out of 50 ain’t bad.) In the 75-79 group, 25 runners!! This makes me so happy!  One of many things I love about this all-women’s race!

I plan to keep on running it and walking it when I am not able to run.

Positives:

• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Lots of familiar faces.
• Interesting course (through a beautiful park).
• Downhill finish.
• Friendly and abundant number of volunteers.
• Two water stops (for a 5k)
• The electric atmosphere.
• Virtual option.
• Free photos
• Immediate results
• Nice Swag for a 5k (tech shirt, medal, cookies, bread)
• Cool medal
• All women – all ages, all paces…

Negatives:

• Uphill first mile.
• Uneven pavement in the park
• Slow pace.
• Long line for the refreshments
• Name change (it will forever be called the Freihofer race)
• WEATHER!!!

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. It’s a great local race. And having it be ALL WOMEN makes it even more special.

Final Stats:

So FRW #19 is in the books!

The tradition is still alive! It was again a great local race with many women running or walking it. Can’t wait to do it again next year. I hope I can talk more of my local running friends into running it again too.

Next Up:

June 6

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Did you race? If so, how did it go? Do you have a favorite race that you run every year? Do you prefer 5ks or longer races?  Have you ever run an all-women’s race? Please share.

and tomorrow:

I’m also linking up with: co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs