In a weekend devoted to remembering and celebrating Grete Waitz, the New York Road Runner put on the 40th edition of the Mini 10K, the country’s original women-only road race. Boulder Wave sent seven of our top women to the race, and they all contended with not only one of the year’s best fields, but with race day conditions of a stifling 96% humidity.

Edna Kiplagat (Nike) took top honors from our group, with 4th place in 32:24, over a minute faster than in similar conditions six days earlier in Bangalore. “I was really worried I might not make the top 10 with this field. I am also not yet feeling sharp in my legs after London. I feel strong, but I have not yet done much speed work.” Indeed, World Marathon Majors champion Liliya Shobukhova, who edged out Edna for 2nd in London eight weeks ago when they both ran 2:20, struggled to a 35:31 and 18th place in her NYC debut.

Diane Nukuri Johnson (ASICS) took 12th, running a new Burundi 8K NR of 26:40 en route to a 33:28 PB and 10K NR. These were Diane’s third and fourth National Records of the year, going along with her 5K and Marathon marks. Berlin World Championships silver medalist Yoshimi Ozaki (adidas/Daiichi Seimei) made her US road race debut with 13th place in 33:30, also hitting a new 8K record of 26:48 on her way to a 33:30 finish. “Yoshimi is racing here and again next week at the Steamboat [4 Mile] race to work on her finishing speed, which we know will be important in Daegu,” commented coach Sachiko Yamashita.

Adriana Nelson (ASICS) was right with Diane and Yoshimi, finishing a few steps behind in 33:33 for 14th overall, and 2nd American. “I kept trying to push, but nobody around me seemed to want to share the work. I know I am feeling better every week, and I’ll be aggressive from the start next week in Peoria.”

Reigning South African 10K Champion Irvette van Blerk took 17th in 33:56; Yuri Kano (Second Wind AC/Mizuno) was 18th in 34:09; and Lidia Simon (ASICS) was 26th in 35:09.