Somewhere, somehow, the Straub Women's 10K (6.2 miles) always seems to strike a chord with participants. While other "races" fade away, it just had its 31st running two weeks ago and each one seems more meaningful than the last.

More than 2,000 women registered, each with a story. It started at the top with race organizer KC Carlberg, locked in a struggle with ovarian cancer. Proceeds of the race went to support ovarian cancer research.

At the back of the crowd, walking proudly in her 20th Straub 10K was Alice Withers, who turns 91 in April. She finished in 2 hours and 15 minutes, some 90 minutes after winner Katherine Nichols. Withers was ecstatic.

"It seems like 91 came so fast," said Withers, from her home in San Pablo, Calif. "I feel so blessed to be here and have all my faculties. I intend to keep on walking as long as I can. If I can get it together, I'll be at Straub again. Every day is a blessing for me, like a gift. I'm so happy to be up and going and doing these wonderful things. I like doing things for other people. I think that's the purpose in life."

Withers started running at 65 because her son Leo was involved. He has done 28 marathons, including six in Honolulu, along with Boston, New York and London. Alice started by jogging around her backyard and was encouraged to try a 5K around the San Francisco Zoo.

"The animals," Withers recalled, "looked at us like we were crazy."

That was 150 race T-shirts ago — including several from the Bay to Breakers event. Withers has so many she now turns them into quilts for her kids and grandkids. She kept running after knee surgery in 1996, but a fall and arthritis "reduced" her to walking five years ago.

"I'm walking 17 to 20 minutes a mile now," said Withers, who was coordinator of the "Walking Ministry" at her church for six years. "It keeps me going."

She tries to go about 3 miles daily, absorbing all the vitamin D the sun can give her, and lifts weights twice a week. She is devoted to her juicer, drinking a fresh vegetable concoction three times a week that includes spinach, mustard greens and parsley. "It really doesn't taste that good," Withers admitted, "but I drink it anyway because I know what it does for my body."

Susan Allen, a friend of her son's from San Francisco, got her started at the Straub run. Allen fell into the first Straub 10K by accident, when a storm wiped out her plans to go to Boston. She had never run more than two miles before. Now she has finished 20 marathons and all 31 Straub runs.

"It was so nice the first time I did it I just kept coming back," Allen said. "It's a great event. At first, it was the only race that was only women. It was kind of nice not to get run over."

Withers has also become a Straub disciple. She thrives on the views of Diamond Head and "expensive" homes, the people cheering and the 10 or so Bay Area friends she walks with. She is always encouraged by the very persistent Allen.

"Susan has been the instigator in every race," Withers said. "She starts working on me around January. If I say no, that's the wrong word."

Apparently, Withers rarely says no. She is exploring the intricacies of nutrition now and just registered for a painting class to "broaden my horizons." The real challenge looms on yet another horizon.

"I have this computer that drives me crazy," Withers admitted. "It's a challenge and I'll try to meet the challenge."

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com.