Thousands of women came together in Central Park for the New York Road Runners Mastercard New York Mini 10K, which is marketed as the world’s original women-only road race.

“Great energy, great day, especially after the week we had, right? With all that smoke,” runner Lisa Antonucci said after crossing the finish line.

The race was founded in 1972 and has an important history behind it.

“This was the first major women’s road race in the United States,” says Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of NYRR. “It really was a landmark for women’s participation in sports. The first race took place just a little while before the passage of Title Nine, which guaranteed women equal access to sports and higher education. And now it’s been running ever since 51 years.”

Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia and Susannah Scaroni of the U.S. broke some records in the open and wheelchair division races, a press release said.

According to the release, Teferi, who is a two-time Olympian, finished in 30:12 — the fastest time since 1972. Scaroni, who is a two-time Paralympic medalist and the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon champion, broke her own record in the wheelchair division by finishing the race at 21:06.

Spectators lined the 6.2 mile course that started around West 90th Street and Central Park West, looped inside the park, and ended close to Naumburg Bandshell.

“My partner. She’s running this, and I take it to do really great to support her. And the women, you know, through all the things they’ve gone through,” said Louis Tufino as he cheered from the sideline with a sign.

This year, Louise Schwartz, 90, ran Saturday with her daughter Jessica Butler.

They first ran the race together 30 years ago.

“Very excited. Yes, I’m really happy to be here,” said Schwartz.

“Now bringing in my cousin and my sister-in-law to all to celebrate my mom’s big birthday and to celebrate doing this walk is special,” said Butler.

NYRR Run for the Future, a free seven-week program, introduced high school girls from the city to running and wellness through panels that focused on mental health, nutrition and body images. According to a press release, the high school girls ended the program by participating in their first race at the Mini 10K.

A year ago, Amy Gruenhut, a runner from Long Island, couldn’t even walk, but she crossed the finish line Saturday.

“I got sick in December, and I was in a coma in January of last year and in the hospital for three and a half months and had a rare brain infection. And when I woke up, I couldn’t walk,” said Gruenhut.

She had to relearn how to walk and run. Her experience making her especially grateful Saturday.

“It’s really a miracle I’m alive and so happy to be running this,” Gruenhut said.

Participants hope this event encourages more women to start running.

“This is always a great race. Empowering women, you know, women running together,” Antonucci said.