Jenny Kincaid Boone

Jenny Kincaid Boone has been running since she was in eighth grade. She competed in cross country and track at Fort Defiance High School (Fort Defiance, Va.) and at Roanoke College, where she was all-ODAC in cross country for four years. When her knees and legs aren't aching from the wear of years of competition, she hits the 19 to low 20-minute range for a 5K.

Recent columns

• A five-miler at the Lake
• Virtual running
• Giving triathlons a try
• Packing energy for the long haul

Midlife doesn’t have to stop you from stepping out of your comfort zone, and at least 10 Roanoke women plan to prove that this weekend.

This Sunday, they’re pinning on race numbers for MORE Magazine’s half-marathon in New York City, one of the few races in the country for women 40 years and older. This is the second year for both the marathon and half marathon, which are sponsored by MORE Magazine, a publication geared toward women in their 40s and 50s.

The half-marathon is two laps around New York’s Central Park, while the marathon is five laps around the park.

Roanoker Nancy Hans, 48, ran the half marathon last year. She and several others have recruited friends and other Roanoke Valley women to join them again this year. In the half marathon, the women run in teams of two, but at least one in each team must be 40 or older.

“It’s a celebration of women who can do this,” said Hans, who has run eight marathons and finished the MORE half marathon last year in 2 hours 15 minutes.

MORE Magazine says the event is an opportunity for women to excel despite age limitations. The marathon’s Web site states, “This generation of women came of age pushing their limits and proving their stamina. Just because you’ve reached midlife doesn’t mean you have to stop exceeding everyone’s expectations.”

Some Roanoke women understand the challenges that age brings to their running and athletic activities.

Susan Merriam of Roanoke said hills are the greatest challenge to her running. She’s running the MORE half marathon this year, her first racing event. Merriam, 43, who has two sons, swims regularly and said cross training has helped her running.

Hans, who has three children, said it is difficult to find time to train.

Nancy Hans (left) and Renita Randolph competed in last year's MORE half marathon in New York.

“As my kids have gotten older, they have gotten into other things,” she said, explaining that she is involved in their activities. She also works for the Roanoke County Prevention Council.

Roanoke runner Amy Rockhill, 51, ran the MORE Marathon last year. She said it was inspiring for her to see Helen Klein, 81, the oldest women to run the MORE Marathon. She finished in 4:49.

“It was symbolic, no doubt about it,” Rockhill said. “And it was a celebration. It wasn’t your normal race.”

This year, the Roanoke women are gearing up for more inspiration. Two of the keynote speakers for the MORE race event are early pioneers of women’s running. One is Kathrine Switzer, who in 1967 at 20 years old became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. Race authorities spotted her and tried to tear off her race number, but she still finished the marathon. Later, she helped lead efforts to include a women’s marathon in the 1984 Olympics.

Grete Waitz, who broke the world record twice in the 3,000-meter run, also will speak.

The Roanoke women runners are quick to give advice to women 40 and older who want to start running.

Hans said it’s important to have a goal, such as completing a 5K race.

Merriam chimed in, “You don’t have to run [a race] all out … Just doing it is the goal.”

Upcoming races

Charlottesville 10-Miler results from April 2, avenue.org/ctc/

April 16: Charlottesville Marathon and Half Marathon, charlottesvillemarathon.com/

April 23: Vinton Baptist Dogwood Challenge 5K, 343-7685

May 7: Smith Mountain Triathlon, Smith Mountain Lake, commonwealthgames.org/