Freihofer's Run for Women is an annual five-kilometer

road running Road running is the sport of running on a measured course over an established road. This differs from track and field on a regular track and cross country running over natural terrain. These events are usually classified as long-distance ...

competition for women that is usually held in late May or early June in

Albany, New York Albany ( ) is the capital of the U.S. state of New York, also the seat and largest city of Albany County. Albany is on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River, and about north of New York C ...

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

. First held in 1979, the race has grown into a sizable event that holds IAAF Silver Label Road Race status and had 3,927 participants at the 2010 edition.Pardham, Ed (2010-06-06)
Chebet beats the heat to set course record in Albany 5K
IAAF. Retrieved on 2014-01-18. The 2011 edition garnered 5,000 entires, four-fifths of whom are distance runners. A 10-kilometer race was held concurrently with the 5K race from its inaugural edition, with the longer race serving as the elite race until 1989. The 5K race has been the elite race since 1989 while the 10K was removed from the annual race's events in 1991. The race has been the venue for the national road championships on many occasions: acting as the 10K championships from 1979 to 1988, and then serving as the 5K nationals in 1989, 1990 and 1993 to 2004. Five women have participated in the FRW every year since it began, including Denise Herman, a local runner who won the 5k in 1984 and again in 1987.

Lynn Jennings Lynn Alice Jennings (born July 1, 1960) is a retired American long-distance runner. She is one of the best female American runners of all time, with a range from 1500 meters to the marathon. She excelled at all three of the sport's major discip ...

is the race's most successful runner, having won the 10K race twice and the 5K race a further six times over the period between 1987 and 1998. Marla Runyan, who is

legally blind Visual impairment, also known as vision impairment, is a medical definition primarily measured based on an individual's better eye visual acuity; in the absence of treatment such as correctable eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment� ...

due to Stargardt disease, won three consecutive national titles at the Freihofer's Run for Women from 2002–2004. In 2005, the race was won in record time by

Asmae Leghzaoui Asmae Leghzaoui ( ar, أسماء لغزاوي; born August 30, 1976) is a Moroccan middle-distance runner. She is a two-time Olympian for Morocco. Biography In 1999, Leghzaoui made a running breakthrough by improving her 3000 metres personal b ...

, though several world class athletes boycotted the event due to Leghzaoui's history of using

illegal substances A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession and use is regulated by a government, such as illicitly used drugs or prescription medications that are designated by law. Some treaties, notably the Single C ...

. Her course record was broken by

Emily Chebet Emily Chebet Muge (born 18 February 1986) is a Kenyan professional long-distance runner who specialises in the 10,000 metres and cross country running. She is a two-time winner of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, being the gold medal ...

who ran a time of 15:12 to win the 2010 race. Betty Jo Geiger remains the record holder for the 10K race with her 1986 winning time of 32:13. The 5K course, certified by

USA Track & Field USA Track & Field (USATF) is the United States national governing body for the sports of track and field, cross country running, road running and racewalking (known as the sport of athletics outside the US). The USATF was known between 1979 and ...

, begins and ends near the

New York State Museum The New York State Museum is a research-backed institution in Albany, New York, United States. It is located on Madison Avenue, attached to the south side of the Empire State Plaza, facing onto the plaza and towards the New York State Capitol ...

on Albany's Madison Avenue. It heads westwards and enters Washington Park after the first kilometer. The course twists along the footpaths through the park before heading north along Lake Avenue around the half-way point. After heading east along Western and Washington Avenue, the route turns south, looping back onto Madison Avenue, and then heads downhill directly to the finish.5 km running course
Freihofer's Run for Women. Retrieved on 2010-06-06.

Past winners

5K race

Key:

10K race

Statistics

*''Note: Statistics for elite races only''

Winners by country

Multiple winners

References

;List of winners

Association of Road Racing Statisticians (2010-06-05). Retrieved on 2010-06-06.

External links

Official website
{{IAAF Silver Label 5K runs Sports in Albany, New York Road running competitions in the United States Recurring sporting events established in 1979 Women's athletics competitions 1979 establishments in New York (state)