Marge Rosasco never looked at herself as much of a competitor.

She and her husband, Steve, enjoyed running, but while racing against men, she usually found herself in the back end when she reached the finish line.

That changed in 1975 when she and other female members of the Baltimore Road Runner's Club ran in New York City's Women's Mini-Marathon 10k. When Rosasco reached the finish line, instead of being toward the end of the group, she came in sixth.

"It was just a thrill. I never thought I could do anything like that," said Rosasco, 62, of Joppa. "And I could sort of understand this is really neat and this is why the men enjoy the competition thing so much."

After their return to Baltimore, the running club members raved about their experience, leading to the inaugural run of the Baltimore Women's Classic, which will be celebrating its 35th anniversary Sunday.

The race, believed to be the second oldest women's race in the United States, has gone through several changes over the years — including shortening from a 10k to a 5k — but the spirit behind the race is still the same. That is to provide a race solely for women to eliminate the pressures of racing beside men.

"When you're running with a man, you're like 'I need to get out there, I need to get ahead of him or I need to keep up with him,' " said Valerie Stocksbale, 53, of Arbutus. "Where as this is a women's race. You have people of all different shapes and sizes. It doesn't really matter. You're all there for one thing and that's because you've either trained together or you're there as a group. And it really does make it different when it's just all women."

In addition to competition, though, it's also about promoting health and comraderie.

Stocksbale participated in the 5k for the first time last summer. After losing 82 pounds prior to the race, she thought completing it would be a milestone on her way to a more healthy lifestyle. After finishing the race, she was inspired to continue her training as a distance runner, eventually competing in 10ks and half-marathons.

But at the end of 2009, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, a disease she beat, and was motivated even more to improve her health. And since registration fees go to aid cancer patients, Stocksbale's involvement in this year's race is even more personal.

The money raised helps cancer patients perform everyday tasks most people may take for granted.

"If somebody doesn't have a way to get treatment that could save their lives, they get a ride," said Laurie Amatucci, co-chairperson of the race. "Or a single mom, who after her treatment doesn't have the strength to go out and get groceries for her kids, can get groceries delivered. We can help them with their everyday matters when they're at the point in their lives when every day really matters."

The race begins at Rash Field in Baltimore Sunday at 8 a.m. (sign-up on race day starts at 6:30 a.m.) While the event is expected to bring more than 2,500 racers, it's the rookies that always leave the largest impressions.

"A lot of the women are new. It's their first race ever," Rosasco said. "And to see the sense of accomplishment on their faces is really very touching and makes all the work that everyone did worth it."

Baltimore Women's Classic

When: Sunday, 8 a.m.

Where: Rash Field on Key Highway in the Inner Harbor

Fee: $30

Registration: Today at Charm City Run in Timonium from noon – 6 p.m. Sunday at Rash Field from 6:30 a.m. – 8 a.m.

Parking: Use public garages or street parking

More information: http://www.baltimorewomensclassic.com