21 Elite Athletes Aged 18 to 61, Everyday Warriors, and 2,000+ Women Take to the Streets in a Powerful Display of Empowerment
(Albany, N.Y.) – The Delightful® Run for Women, presented by Sara Lee® Delightful® Bread, is back and bolder than ever, bringing together over 2,000 registrants and showcasing the strength, spirit, and unstoppable energy of women from across the country and beyond. The 5K will be stepping off on Washington Avenue, outside the NYS Capitol in Albany on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
With an elite field of over 21 incredible athletes ranging in age from 18 to 61, this year’s race is a true celebration of female strength in motion. From rising stars to seasoned champions, these women are ready to inspire thousands along the streets of Albany.
Amy Davis-Green of Michigan, a Hanson Brooks athlete, returns after a stunning second-place finish last year in her debut appearance at the race. Molly Born and Jessica Lawson McGorty, both professional athletes with Puma, bring national-level speed and poise to the starting line. Cleo Boyd of Ontario is no stranger to the course and returns with experience and tenacity.
Keira Rogan, just 18 and fresh off her first year at Hamilton College, will arrive in top form after racing at the NCAA Division III Nationals. Kerry Flower joins the elite field for the first time in her fourth run of the event. She recently placed second in the CDPHP Workforce Challenge.
Sascha Scott, last year’s Masters champion, returns to defend her title. Karen Bertasso Hughes, also running as a Masters athlete, enters the race fresh off her win at this year’s CDPHP Workforce Challenge.
And while the elite field brings national-level excitement, the heart of the event lies in its community. Thousands of women and girls of all ages, backgrounds, and paces will lace up and take part, proving that empowerment isn’t about time on the clock, it’s about showing up and moving forward. Even the most seasoned runner—an inspiring 83-year-old participant—reminds us that this race is about endurance of body and spirit.
“The Delightful® Run for Women is always more than a race, which is why we call it an ‘event’,” said Kristen Hislop, Event Director. “It’s a wave of empowerment you can feel, whether you’re crossing the finish line or cheering from the sidelines. These women, both elite runners and first-timers alike, lift each other up, and in doing so, lift all of us.”
This event is nationally known, and has garnered global attention in years past. This year, a number of the elite athletes are from outside New York, and one is from Canada, with 50 virtual participants from 8 states across the country.
The Training Challenge has been flourishing since March, and more than 250 women participated. They are now getting ready to participate in the event that’s the culmination of their hard work these past 10 weeks.
The Run for Women cannot start without Cindy Kelly, Denise Herman and Bernadette La Manna who will be crossing the Delightful® Run for Women finish line for the 47th time this year, as they have participated in the event each year the race has been held. The women are 75, 69, and 74 respectively, this year. Linda Campbell who has also been participating since the beginning will be participating this year virtually from Florida.
The Health and Fitness Expo will be held on May 29th and May 30st at The Armory at Russell Sage College, 130 New Scotland Ave, in Albany from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. respectively, and will highlight local and national business as well as nonprofits. It is also where the athletes pick up their race numbers, shirts and more. Free and open to the public, it’s a great place to shop, learn, and sample.
Join the energy of nearly five decades of tradition by volunteering at the Delightful® Run for Women. Whether you help out at the Health & Fitness Expo or support Race Day activities, volunteers play a vital role in creating an unforgettable experience. Registration is still open—visit the RunSignUp website to sign up and be part of the magic.
Registration for the 47th Delightful® Run for Women 5K will remain open online until May 27, and in person at the Health and Fitness Expo until May 30th. All run participants will receive a commemorative performance shirt, Delightful® products and Freihofer’s® cookies, a medal, and the opportunity to participate in the most empowering event in the nation. To sign up, visit the registration page.
For more information on the 47th Annual Delightful® Run for Women, the annual Kids’ Run, and the Capital Kids 3K, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Albany/DelightfulRunForWomen. More information can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.
Thank you to the various organizations supporting this event: Adirondack Beverages, Albany Braces, Athletic Brewing, BBL Hospitality, City of Albany, Concord Lifestyle, DGS – City of Albany, Garelick Farms, Hannaford, Hilton Garden Inn Albany Medical Center, HydraPak, Magna 5, Monster Energy, OrthoNY, Penske, Raven Events, Recovery Sports Grill, Sanavi, Telescope Casual Furniture, Towne Law Firm, Uncommon Grounds, and Whip My Butta Organics. And thank you to our Training Challenge sponsors, CDPHP, and Thornton Wealth Management. This year’s media partners include iHeart Radio, 99.5 TheRiver, and CBS6Albany.
The event, renowned for its festive, supportive atmosphere, will feature music, hundreds of spectators, and a post-race award ceremony filled with joy, stories, and solidarity. Join us for one of the most uplifting events of the year. When women run together, they go farther.
About Delightful® Run for Women. For 47 years, the Delightful® Run for Women has set the pace for healthy participation in and recognition of women in sports, while inspiring generations of women to experience the benefits of exercise and nutritious eating. The annual event invites our nation’s top female runners to compete head to head. They run on a closed road course among thousands of women from walkers to Olympians, each challenging themselves on the picturesque 3.1-mile race. For more information, visit the RunSignUp page.
About Bimbo Bakeries USA. Bimbo Bakeries USA is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality. Our team of 20,000+ U.S. associates operates approximately 60 manufacturing locations in the United States. Over 11,000 distribution routes deliver our leading brands such as Arnold®, Artesano®, Ball Park®, Bimbo®, Boboli®, Brownberry®, Entenmann’s®, Little Bites®, Marinela®, Mrs Baird’s®, Oroweat®, Sara Lee®, Stroehmann® and Thomas’®. BBU is owned by Mexico’s Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B de C.V., the world’s largest baking company with operations in 34 countries.