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.

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Ladies, this is the 22nd year to show off your speed and fitness in a race designed for you.

This Saturday, the Women’s Distance 5K will take off in Roanoke on Reserve Avenue.

Women young and old will line up to showcase their skill running 3.1 miles. Look for some mother-daughter and sister teams to cross the finish line.

This year’s Southwest Roanoke course is the same as last year’s. It was created to bypass floodwaters that took over the original course, which started on Wiley Drive and looped around Wasena Park.

This October the race directors decided to use the new course, because “people liked it,” said Amy Rockhill, who co-directs the 5K with Linda Perdue.

The race begins on Reserve Avenue, continues down Franklin Road, winds back up Wiley Drive and makes other twists and turns through South Roanoke communities, including Piedmont Park. Find the finish line after crossing a footbridge into the Victory Stadium parking lot.

At least 100 people already are signed up to run, Rockhill said. And she hopes more will follow.

Proceeds from the race will go to the Child Health Investment Partnership in Roanoke and Star City Striders, Roanoke’s running club.

Other race details:

Women’s Distance 5K

Race day registration: $20 from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Awards go to the top three finishers overall and in various age groups. Awards also go to top mother-daughter and sister teams.

Local and regional races:

Oct. 1: Carilion Shawsville 5K, Camp Alta Mons, 268-7812

Oct.  8: Vinton Fall Festival 5K, 767-6669

Oct. 15: Bank of Fincastle 5K and 10K, 473-2761

Oct. 15: Gillett Ford 10K Run and 1 mile run, Blacksburg, 951-2949