New York Mini 10K a dearth of women's road racing competitions. The race's inaugural sponsor Johnson Wax (who were promoting a women's shaving gel called "Crazylegs") suggested a full marathon event (26 miles and 385 yards), but it was decided that a more manageable "mini marathon" race over 6 miles would be held. A total of 78 runners took part in the race, which was the world's first women-only road racing competition. The course of the road race begins near 61st Street on Central Park West and heads north, entering Central Park at West 90th Street. The route loops in a clockwise direction, turning
Johnny Miles boots. In 1926 Miles's neighbours raised a few hundred dollars to send him to the Boston Marathon by train. This would be Miles's debut marathon, having never run a race longer than 10 miles. The field at the 1926 Boston Marathon included four-time winner Clarence DeMar and 1924 Olympic champion Albin Stenroos, whom Miles idolized. Miles arrived at the marathon as an unknown, competing in a handmade singlet adorned with a maple leaf and the letters "NS" for Nova Scotia and a pair of 98-cent sneakers. Stenroos attempted to break away after the first few miles, leaving DeMar behind. Miles