WR holder Agnes Ngetich soloed a fast one at the 54th edition of the Mastercard New York Mini 10k, leading inside the first mile and pulling away the rest of the race to run a 30:07 CR for the win, the fastest time ever on U.S. soil albeit on a slightly net downhill course. On a warm day that saw over 10,000 women finish Tsigie Gebreselama was on her own most of the way too, a distant 2nd in 30:53 and 17 seconds up on past champ Hellen Obiri.Further back, 2026 World University Cross Country bronze medalist Amisa Murayama and 2025 Morinomiyako Ekiden 3rd leg CR breaker Nazuki Sasaki from 2025 National University Women's Ekiden runner-up Tohoku Fukushi University made their U.S. debuts. Murayama was targeting the fastest-ever Japanese time at the Mini, 32:37, but struggled on the hills just before 5 km and late in the race, fading to finish 23rd in 34:08. Sasaki, recovering from a stress reaction in her upper back a few months ago, ran a conservative but even race, finishing 31st in 35:31.
"I'd like to have done better," Murayama told JRN post-race, "but this was an incredible experience and I'm really grateful to have gotten the opportunity." Next up Murayama will be targeting MGC Race qualification at August's Hokkaido Marathon. "It was super exciting to be in the same race as the WR holder," Sasaki said. "I learned a lot."
54th Mastercard New York Mini 10k
New York, U.S.A., 6 June 2026
1. Agnes Ngetich (Kenya) - 30:07 - CR
2. Tsigie Gebreselama (Ethiopia) - 30:53
3. Hellen Obiri (Kenya) - 31:10
4. Emily Venters (U.S.A.) - 31:36
5. Klara Lukan (Slovenia) - 31:38
6. Edna Kurgat (U.S.A.) - 31:44
7. Sharon Lokedi (Kenya) - 31:44
8. Jessica McClain (U.S.A.) - 31:53
9. Annie Rodenfels (U.S.A.) - 32:02
10. Annie Frisbie (U.S.A.) - 32:11
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23. Amisa Murayama (Japan/TFU) - 34:08
31. Nazuki Sasaki (Japan/TFU) - 35:31
text and photo © 2026 Brett Larner, all rights reserved
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