Nothing mini about NYC's all-women 'Mini 10K' — back for its 53rd year

New York's women’s-only road race is coming back to the city this week.

The New York Road Runners, “New York Mini 10k” is expected to bring 10,000 racers to Central Park this Saturday, June 7 for its 53rd year.

Don’t be confused by the name: Women will be running a full 10 kilometers around the park; the “mini” is a reference to the mini-skirt, which was seen as a symbol of women’s liberation in 1972 when the race was first run.

The event is unique in that it joins amateur racers, olympians, paralympians and world champion racers all putting shoes to concrete for the run.

“The field of play is the same for the pros as it is for the 10,000 women who will be following them,” Christine Burke, Chief Commercial Officer of NYRR said. “I imagine being a baseball fan and being able to play on the same field as the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. It's really the same idea here, where women are inspired and literally following in the footsteps of the best women runners in the world.”

Three weeks after the inaugural race, Title IX — which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools — was signed into law, NYRR said in a statement.

“It was really a moment for women to prove that they were able to run,” Burke added. “We love that it was started here in New York City, in Central Park.”

The race was originally called the ‘Crazy Legs Women’s Mini Marathon,’—named after a shaving cream brand which first sponsored the race.

Nowadays, the race is sponsored by MasterCard and draws marathon champions from Kenya, Japan, Argentina, Mexico, and Britain.

“I’m excited to race it for the fourth year in a row,” American marathon record holder Emily Sisson said in a statement. “It’s a special chance to reconnect with my Olympic teammates, compete with some of the top women athletes, and run alongside 10,000 inspiring women brought together by a shared love of the sport.”

The race starts on the western edge of the park on West 90th street and heads down 72nd. From there, runners will enter the park and make one lap around, finishing near the Naumburg Bandshell. Organizers say one of the best places to watch the race is right at the start, along Central Park West.

In addition to the main race, NYRR is also hosting a 1-mile Girls for girls 8-18. They’ll run on a portion of the same course as the pros.