LINET MASAI SEEKING THIRD OAKLEY NEW YORK MINI 10K TITLE
By Chris Lotsbom
(c) 2013 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - Used with permission.
NEW YORK (07-June) -- Kenyan Linet Masai is ready to try and make history on the roads of Central Park here Saturday at the 42nd Oakley New York Mini 10K tomorrow. If the 2009 IAAF world champion over 10,000m crosses the finish first, she will become just the fourth women in event history to have earned three victories at the first-ever road race exclusively for women.
"It feels good to come back, I hope I will win tomorrow," Masai told Race Results Weekly this morning in an exclusive interview less than 24 hours prior to the race.
The roads of Central Park have been kind to the soft-spoken Kenyan. In 2010 --making her United States road racing debut-- Masai ran away from a stellar field to win in 30:48, a time that still stands as her personal best.
"In 2010, I was happy because that was my best time that I run in New York, so I was very happy about it," she recalled, citing the victory as her most memorable in the United States.
One year later, Masai again toed the line on Central Park West, prevailing again through very warm temperatures and 96% humidity to win in 31:40. Both victories netted her $10,000.
"It was so good to win twice. Three times in one race at the same place would be very nice," said Masai.
Only three others --Grete Waitz, Tegla Loroupe, and Lornah Kiplagat-- have won at least three crowns at the event, which began in 1972 as the first-ever all-women's road race. Masai could become the third Kenyan-born of the bunch; Loroupe has five titles to her name, with Kiplagat owning four wins. Norway's Waitz, who passed away in 2011, had five victories, too.
Rebounding from the disappointment of not making the 2012 Kenyan Olympic team, Masai is focused on regaining her 2010 and 2011 form. Asked whether she would try to separate from her competitors on the Central Park hills --the same strategy used as when she won-- Masai wasn't so sure.
"That was two years ago, so this year I do not know how I am going to move because I am not in so good [of shape] as the past two years," she said. But Masai remained positive in her hopes to return to form.
Last week at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon, Masai finished eighth over 5000m in 15:02.98. She ran most of the race at the back of the lead pack before falling back.
"Because it was my first race since January when I got an injury," Masai paused. "I was upset, of course, but I have to let it go."
In Eugene --the second of two IAAF Diamond League stops in America-- Masai stayed with Olympic silver medalist Sally Kipyego, who lives in the Eugene area with her husband, Kevin Chelimo. The two made ugali, a signature dish of maize flour, and talked a lot.
"It was if I was just at home. Good friends, good company, and good food," Masai said with a laugh.
PHOTO: Linet Masai earlier this week in New York before the 42nd Oakley New York Mini 10-K (photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)
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