More Than 10,000 Women Expected for the More-Fitness Half Marathon

The More-Fitness Half Marathon, taking place this Sunday, April 3, is the largest women's-only half marathon in the country. With registrants from 48 states and 18 countries (as far as Australia), this event is expected to have 10,000 runners and spectators in New York City's Central Park.

In partnership with New York Road Runners, the race is hosted by Lady Speed Stick and Athleta, and race participants have raised nearly $100,000 for charitable partner Hole in the Wall Gang, a nonprofit summer camp and year-round center serving children and their families coping with cancer.

Find out more about this great event from our Q&A with Fitness Magazine's editor-in-chief Betty Wong.

That's Fit: How will runners benefit by participating in the race?
Betty Wong: The reason why it's so popular among our readers is that the goal of running a half marathon is really the perfect distance. You feel that after 13.1 miles you have reached a major accomplishment and you really did merit that medal that is hanging around your neck. Also, the training, discipline and commitment that it takes to prepare for a half marathon is definitely something that requires a lot of work, but it's also totally accessible. It's not as intimidating as training for a full marathon, it doesn't take up your entire life. It can take anywhere from 8 to10 weeks to prepare, you can even start as a walker and be prepared for a half marathon in 8 to10 weeks.

TF: What is special about the More-Fitness Half Marathon?
W: It is all women. When you're on the course there is such great energy there, there is so much camaraderie and cheering that is very special. I've run a lot of races here in New York and this is by far my favorite event to be a part of.

TF: Is there anything unique about the event this year?
W: We often get celebrity hosts to come and see the event and kick it off at the start line, or wait at the end to give awards to the top runners. This year, we have Elisabeth Hasselbeck from The View hosting -- she has actually the first host who will be running the event as well. She'll welcome all the runners at the start and then just sort of slip into the race and she'll be leading a team of 400 women raising money for celiac disease research. We'll also have the US Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin who will be there to talk about her healthy initiative and her goals of changing the national conversation from things you can't eat or shouldn't be doing into a positive conversation about what you can do.

TF: Who is the average woman that attends this event?
W: The average age of racers this year is 40 years old. The largest group, 29 percent of the registrants, is between the ages of 30-39.

TF: If you're not already a runner, is this an event for you?
W: We have such a wide range of participants. We have people who are elite runners, we have runners who are migrational runners, but then we definitely have walkers and beginners. That is what is special about this race, is that we don't put any sort of difficult time limit on it. There is a 3 hour time limit but even the beginners can do it in 3 hours. You can start as a beginner and be ready for the race with the right training and right preparation. I just takes discipline and commitment that you're going to run and practice every weekend.