B.A.A. 10K will provide an opportunity to run the popular distance while highlighting Boston neighborhoods.

BOSTON, Mass. – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced the addition of a 10-kilometer road race this summer in Boston.

The B.A.A. 10K, to be held on Sunday, June 26, starting and finishing at Boston Common, expands the B.A.A.'s calendar to include one of the sport's most popular distances.

The new 10K gives the general public three, open, mass participation races: B.A.A. 5K in April; B.A.A. 10K in June; and the B.A.A. Half Marathon in October.

The B.A.A. also organizes the Boston Marathon and the B.A.A. Invitational Mile and promotes other programs which encourage health and fitness, including youth events, local charities and a running club.

The B.A.A. 10K will launch this summer with a prize purse of $30,000 for top finishers. The B.A.A. also added a $30,000 prize purse for top finishers at next month's B.A.A. 5K on Sunday, April 17, which means each of the B.A.A.'s three races for the general public will have its equal and significant prize purse. The complete prize purse for each event – equal for men and women – is listed on the web site and and awards $5,000 for first place through $100 for tenth place.

Registration for the B.A.A. 10K will open on May 4 and will be held on the B.A.A.'s web site: www.baa.org

Each of the three B.A.A. events starts and finishes at a different, iconic Boston venue and showcases a different part of the City.  The B.A.A. makes annual contributions to city services, agencies or advocacy groups. Beneficiaries include the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Boston Park Rangers, Franklin Park Zoo, and Friends of the Public Garden.

Youth races will be held in conjunction with each event.

"The B.A.A. 10K offers runners an uncommon summer racing opportunity in Boston," said Thomas S. Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director. "We appreciate the partnership we enjoy with the Mayor's Office which highlights this renowned, running city.  Having already begun to work proactively with the neighborhood, community and business groups along this beautiful course, participants in the B.A.A. 10K can expect to receive a warm welcome during the race."

"The addition of our 10-kilometer road race gives Boston a series of races unique to the sport and is yet another way we are promoting our neighborhoods and our citizens," said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "Together with the B.A.A., we are encouraging health, fitness and an active lifestyle by providing inspirational opportunities in which anyone may participate."

The B.A.A. 10K has a 6.2-mile course which is a scenic tour through Boston's Beacon Hill, Back Bay and Kenmore neighborhoods. The race will begin on Charles Street near Boston Common, wind down Commonwealth Avenue and Bay State Road as far west as Babcock Street near Boston University and return via Commonwealth Avenue. After going around the Public Garden, the runners will finish back on Charles Street.

Nearly 45,000 runners will participate in B.A.A. events in 2011.

Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of managing athletic events and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial.

The Boston Marathon is part of the World Marathon Majors along with the Virgin London Marathon, BMW Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and the ING New York City Marathon.