Kosgei dominates field to win New York Mini 10K

NEW YORK (AP) — Rose Kosgei of Kenya won the 38th New York Mini 10K in Central Park on Sunday, finishing in 32 minutes, 43 seconds to beat Serena Burla of Ellisville, Mo., by 21 seconds.

Hirut Mandefro of Ethiopia was third (33:13) in the women's-only race, which had 6,100 runners for its biggest field since 1999.

Kosgei pulled away from a three-woman pack in the second mile of the 6.2-mile race, building a 30-second lead at one point. Burla closed the gap in the final two miles, but was unable to catch Kosgei.

"I just kept going, going, and no one was coming," Kosgei said. "The pace felt OK, so I just kept pushing. To win this 10K is my biggest victory."

American Olympian Deena Kastor, a pre-race favorite to win her second Mini title, did not race due to inflammation in her big toe. She jogged the course with New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

"I'm just being super cautious," said Kastor, who will see a foot specialist in Toronto on Monday. "I don't want to do anything stupid to jeopardize the rest of the year."

Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, silver medalist in the Beijing Olympic marathon, was again denied a victory in the race, finishing fourth in her fourth appearance.