Great Moments from the 2006 MORE Marathon

Several large running groups registered for the 2006 race. Longtime favorites, the Playmakers from East Lansing, MI, brought 114 runners to this year’s event.

MORE magazine Executive Editor Joanna Coles said that she chose to run in the half-marathon — her first ever — because she felt a “moral obligation” to support MORE’s readers.

Wheelchair racers were the first athletes on the marathon course, which wound through the wooded paths of New York City’s Central Park.

Kathrine Switzer was a welcome sight as she cheered on runners at the finish line. In 1967, she became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon.

Jennifer Hellawell crossed the finish line just behind her half-marathon partner and sister, Laura Fornaro. The two wore shirts picturing Laura’s husband Michael, who died in November 2005.

Katie Murray, Maureen Pepin and Trish Poirier were exuberant as they completed the half-marathon. The trio of 44-year-olds was part of a group called Circle of Friends, who decided to run the race as a way to have fun and support each other’s good health.

At 72, Ginette Bedard was one of the oldest racers this year. After finishing the full marathon with a time of 3:46:03, she exclaimed, “I feel great!”

Ruth, 44, and Karen Borgan, 31, congratulated each other on a race well run. The sisters participated because they wanted to “feel healthy.”

Celebrity guest and women’s health advocate Cheryl Ladd was at the finish line to welcome the 2006 MORE Marathon winner.

Susan Loken tore across the finish line to become the MORE Marathon winner for the second year in a row. Loken, 42, won with a time of 2:50:01.

Mary Wittenberg (far left), Cheryl Ladd and Peggy Northrop congratulate the winners of the 2006 MORE Marathon: Susan Loken, first-place winner, Doreen McCoubrie, second place and Stephanie Hodge, third place.

Camaraderie was the word of the day, as nearly 4,000 women and their friends and families gathered in New York’s Central Park to celebrate the health and vitality of 40+ women.