Donna Nerges: Taking Running in Stride at Age 70
Donna Nerges never thought she’d become a runner until her son Jeffrey encouraged her to try running as a way to cope with her restlessness and anxiety. It was 2020, and the pandemic lockdown had brought daily life to a halt. At 65, Donna was living in New Jersey and had transitioned to remote work. She struggled with the loss of routine and connection.
Jeffrey, who'd been involved with New York Road Runners for a decade, believed Donna would benefit from being a part of the running community, and he signed her up for the 2021 Virtual United Airlines NYC Half. Donna hesitated at first, unsure she could complete the 13.1-mile distance. She did it, and crossing that virtual finish line ignited a spark of confidence and a desire to keep going.
"My first event was a bit overwhelming, but I learned to enjoy the whole experience from start to finish and learned the goal is to finish and not to worry about time and pace," she said. As pandemic lockdowns lifted, Donna started running in-person New York Road Runners races, including the 2022 RBC Brooklyn Half and 2023 United Airlines NYC Half.
Finding Her Stride
In 2024, Jeffrey brought Donna to an NYRR Striders session at Columbus Circle. Donna later joked that she felt like a child being dropped off at kindergarten for the first time. But the nerves quickly faded when she met Coach Gisela and the welcoming Striders community. She realized she had found not only structure for her run/walk routine, but also friendship and support.
Striders has since become central to her life. Several of her closest friends are women she encouraged to join the program. She finds joy not only in her own accomplishments, but in watching others reach goals they once thought impossible. For Donna, running is no longer just exercise—it is community, accountability, and celebration.
"Becoming a member of the NYRR Striders has positively influenced my life for health, fitness, socialization, and a sense of community," she said. "I have made new friendships and encouraged an old friend to join the group. The coaches are very knowledgeable and supportive, encouraging me to walk/run at my pace." She loves doing races with other Striders and achieving their goals together.
A Marathoner at Age 70
Donna volunteered with her family at the TCS New York City Marathon every year from 2018 to 2024. Over the years she saw the race is made up of people of all ages and abilities, and gradually she came to believe a marathon was something she might be able to do, too. Last year, at age 70, Donna completed her first marathon at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon.
A native New Yorker, Donna will run the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half on March 15. She especially looks forward to crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, which wasn't part of the course when she ran in 2023. The bridge is dear to her because it's where she and her husband got married in 2013.
"My advice to other adults about running in later life is to get out there, run/walk, be part of a group, have fun and not be intimidated," she said.
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