Photos And Stories
Women Moving Forward at the Mastercard New York Mini 10K

Women Moving Forward at the Mastercard New York Mini 10K

Jun 04, 2026

Mastercard New York Mini 10K runners on the course

Founded in 1972, the Mastercard New York Mini 10K empowers women of all ages and fitness levels to come together, be active, and accomplish a running milestone alongside other inspiring runners. For Denise Peralta and Chantal W., the race is all about inspiration, perseverance, and community. Both women reflect on their journeys to the start line and how running has impacted their lives.

Denise Peralta
Run for the Future Alumna

Denise Peralta at the TCS New York City Marathon finish

Denise at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon finish.

In the summer of 2015, Denise Peralta discovered the joy of running while participating in Run for the Future, a six-week summer program that introduces NYC high school young women to running through a holistic approach that combines movement, education, and community. Eleven years later, she’s still friends with many of the other women who participated in Run for the Future and is an active member of their alumnae network. This summer Denise will be a race buddy for the program, which is celebrating 15 years of motivating young women to run.

"Run for the Future has influenced my lifestyle for the better by helping me build the confidence to push my athletic abilities. I’ve run 14 races in a year, including the TCS New York City Marathon and the United Airlines NYC Half."

With a full-time job in social services, she finds relief in running after a stressful day. Denise said that completing the TCS New York City Marathon last fall made every other obstacle in her life feel manageable, saying, “I can do anything now."

She ran the Mastercard New York Mini 10K last year and plans to run it again this Saturday with her cousin.

"This race is a testament to how New York Road Runners has created a community that encourages women like myself to continue running. I'm looking foward to being able to run with my cousin Shereen. After running and training for almost a year, she has finally taken on the challenge of running her first 10K and I can’t wait to cross the finish line together."

Chantal W.
"Crazylegs" runner

Chantal and her mother at the New York Mini 10K

Chantal with her mother at the New York Mini 10K.

When Chantal's mother ran the 1998 New York City Marathon, Chantal met her at the finish line and thought to herself, “I’m going to do this someday, too.” The next year, the two of them ran the NYRR Women’s Half on Mother’s Day. It was Chantal’s first half marathon and the beginning of a tradition for the mother and daughter to run women’s races together with the New York Mini 10K becoming “their race.”

"My mother is my greatest inspiration for running the New York Mini 10K year after year. Watching her cross that finish line several years ago planted a seed in me that never stopped growing—and every time I lace up for this race, I'm running in her footsteps."

They ran the race together nearly every year, even after Chantal’s mother’s cancer diagnosis and through her chemotherapy treatments. After her mother passed in 2015, Chantal carried on the tradition of running the New York Mini 10K every year. She even wears a photo of her mother on her race shirt.

"Wearing her photo on my shirt means she's still right there with me—every stride, every hill, every step through the finish line. It's my way of making sure we never stop running together."

For Chantal, running provides a safe space to clear her head, connect with her mom, and get outdoors with the goal of always showing up and putting one foot in front of the other. She's looking forward to being surrounded by thousands of women and girls all moving together through one of her favorite places, Central Park, when she toes the line once again at the Mastercard New York Mini 10K this Saturday.

"There's an energy in that crowd that's hard to put into words. And of course, carrying on the tradition my mom started for me."