She first laced up her running shoes five years ago.

On Saturday, Pell City resident Dellaine Allen is running in Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure in Birmingham, where she will run in memory of her mother-in-law who passed away more than 20 years ago and for every other person affected by breast cancer.

“We all have family, friends or know of somebody whose lives have been changed because of breast cancer,” Dellaine said.

In the last five years, Dellaine ran in three full marathons, 24 half marathons and countless 5K and 10K races.  Saturday marks her third time to race for the cure.

“I do at least 12 runs a year.”

At 52, Dellaine continues to move.

“I started running for my health.  Most people start running when they’re young, but age really has nothing to do with it.  My age has probably been more of a motivator rather than holding me back,” she said.

Dellaine chose running over other forms of exercise because the activity is flexible and allows her to go at her own pace.

“One of the hardest things to do is get started, but all you have to do is take that first step.  If one step is all you can do that day, then you’ve done what you can do.”

When Dellaine first took up running, she needed to build endurance so she walked five miles every day and eventually built up enough endurance to run.  She says running is a sport that’s easy to get back into if you stop for some reason.

Her alarm goes off at 3:30 a.m.  Dellaine wakes up to meet her running buddy, Melissa Tims to run her first three miles of the day, after which, she meet another friend, Patsy Lee, to run another three miles.

“She’s a great mentor and a great friend to run with,” Tims said.  “She’s always listening and encouraging me.  I’ve never seen her get down about anything.  Dellaine’s just that way.  I don’t think she realizes how much she influences people.”

Dellaine and Tims started running together when a mutual friend, Lee Marsh, asked them to do a run with her.  Lee wanted to run in the Disney Princess Run at Disney World.”

“I think Lee got us all started in running,” Tims said.

Dellaine also runs with her daughter, Heather, when time allows.

“One time Heather and I ran a half marathon together and Heather crossed the finish line, but I had fallen behind.  After Heather finished she turned around and came back and ran the rest of the race with me.  She looked at me and said, ‘Just kick it, Momma.  You can do it.’  I’ll never forget that day.” Dellaine said.

Heather and Dellane have done at least three half marathons and numerous 5Ks and 10Ks together.

“When we first started running together, I was the one motivating her.  Now, she’s a motivator for me,” Heather said.  “I’m so proud of her.”

Dellaine believes running is 80 percent mental and 20 percent physical.

While running a marathon in San Francisco for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Dellaine’s mental strength was tested.

“It was cold and drizzling that day.  Running up and down the hilly streets of San Francisco was so difficult.  I ran the first 20 miles of the race.  Then my legs started to cramp and I didn’t think I’d be able to finish.

“Someone came up and said, ‘You can do it.’  It was my friend, Mercy Pilkington.  I met Mercy through the Anniston Runners Club.  It was good to see a familiar face. After running that race, I realized there is nothing more important than crossing the finish line.”

It’s not too late to register for Race for the Cure.  To register or get more information go to www.komenncalabama.org or call 205-263-1700.  The registration deadline is Oct 14.  The race will take place at Linn Park in Birmingham on Oct.15.