European cross-country champion set to race against the likes of Kenyan trio Mary Keitany, Caroline Rotich and Edna Kiplagat on Saturday

Gemma Steel will be hoping to secure a third consecutive Oakley New York Mini 10K podium place on Saturday when she returns to race in Central Park.

The European cross-country champion forms part of a strong field for this year’s edition of the world’s oldest women-only road race and hopes that her experience of the course and conditions will work in her favour as she takes on the likes of Kenyan trio Mary Keitany, Caroline Rotich and Edna Kiplagat over 10km.

The 29-year-old’s last competitive outing also came in New York as she placed third in the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K two weeks ago. That followed a win at the SPAR Great Ireland Run and a runner-up spot at the Morrisons Great Manchester 10K, both of which came after her fine 18th place finish at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in China at the end of March.

As well as major marathon champions Keitany, Rotich and Kiplagat, Steel also lines up in New York alongside the likes of Betsy Saina, who claimed victory in Manchester ahead of the Briton, and Ethiopia’s Buzunesh Deba.

“I love Central Park as the hills and undulating course play to my strengths,” said Steel, who finished third at this event in both 2013 and 2014.

“It’s very humid but I have coped well in past with the conditions and will draw on my experience on the course – it’s tough and there is a stacked field this year but it will be great to be competitive.”

Steel, who has a 10km PB of 31:26 from 2014, added: “It’s not about the time, just position, and I will do well to finish on the podium like in past years.”

Founded by NYRR in 1972, the first run had 72 finishers but now over 174,522 women have crossed the event’s finish line.

“The Oakley New York Mini 10K has been one of NYRR’s most celebrated events for more than four decades,” said Peter Ciaccia, president of events for New York Road Runners and race director of the TCS New York City Marathon.

“From women’s running pioneers and legends like Kathrine Switzer and Nina Kuscsik who co-founded the Mini in 1972, to the remarkable roster of champions over the years and the thousands of active and inspirational women who have participated in this powerful event, NYRR’s tradition of celebrating women is one of the highlights of our race year.”

Steel added: “I love the fact that it’s an all-women’s race and what it stands for by giving power to women.

“I am excited to be returning to this great event. It was my debut and first time out in the US when I raced here two years ago. I have fond memories and it’s fast becoming my second home here!”

The event begins at 8am local time (1pm in the UK), with elites racing for a first-place prize of $10,000 as part of the $35,150 prize purse.

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