GRACIE JENKINS RUNS A MARATHON
BY: PENNY MIRREN

I loved that PENNY MIRREN did what so few Author's do today is today is to write a novel with an older Female Main Protagonist that is older than me, but so much heart is reflected in this narrative featuring a 72 year old woman. These days Publishing does every so often represent an older character, but mostly the market is overflowing with it's target audience in their twenties thirties so I was very intrigued to read about a much older character, especially a retired school teacher who takes on such an ambitious goal to run a marathon.

In "GRACIE JENKINS RUNS A MARATHON, it reminded me a lot when I first started running, after having my eldest son, I was running my first race sponsored for charity with under a week to prepare which I was only jogging. Two wonderful friends who were much more experienced talked me into it a couple of decades ago, which I was in shape, but never jogged before, ,and I found it jogging during walking and slowly jogging starting with two miles the week before the race. The running community is so friendly, and helpful to those less experienced. Running is something that I can't remember what inspired me to keep doing it until I ran every day effortlessly building my endurance slowly up to 10 miles per day, and I started slowly pushing my son in a baby jogger.

This is so much more than a story about running, and training for showing that it's never too late just like that old cliche which is true if not banal, and trite. "Every Journey begins with taking the first single step," which in this heartwarming story is relevant in more ways than one. Gracie's mending her relationship with her estranged sister Jill added depth, and as they were another example of our humanity that was part of what made this such an inspirational other dimension that shines like a beacon of hope as well as inspiration. There's a reason that Gracie takes her niece Emily's place in the running of the marathon who is the daughter of Jill who that relationship that was fractured should offer that same hope that it's never too late for healing to occur makes this such a feel good story that's multifaceted beyond just the challenging title. This has a lot of well developed characters, and explores old hurts within family that this narrative explores the importance of family dynamics that also make this about those bonds are significant, which is another reason why I loved this novel since family, close friendships and community has always meant everything to me. There are also alternating chapters which makes this a fast reading experience and richly explores both points of view.

I had read another book by Penny Mirren that I equally loved that had me looking forward to reading this one. U'm so happy I did as I said this is so heartwarming. I'll be recommending this highly to every reader I know who loves a story filled with characters written with depth, and showing that much older characters can step out of their comfort zone that truly inspire. The MFC is much older than me, but I hope that I can keep evolving, and trying new things, and I applaud this author for writing this which as I said that I admire reading about an under represented age group that have much wisdom, and their example that they exude that makes me hope to read whatever this talented Author writes next. This novel deserves to reach as wide of an audience as possible. Five Stars!

Publication Date: September 11, 2025

Thank you to Net Galley, Penny Mirren, and Avon Books U.K., for generously providing me with my FANTASTIC ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own, as always.

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T

This is a sweet and inspiring book. Gracie is an easy character to love, and she demonstrates how your age is not a barrier to what you want to do in life. All of the characters, including the secondary ones, are well-crafted and relatable. This is a book that may leave you with a smile on your face.

I’d read Penny Mirren before, so when I was offered Gracie Jenkins Runs a Marathon, I was genuinely excited—and it absolutely delivered. The premise alone is uplifting: a woman in her seventies deciding to run a marathon. But what unfolds is a tender, quietly powerful story about family, friendship, and the unexpected ways we grow when we choose to help others.

When Jill and her daughter Emily move near to Gracie and her husband Andrew, old wounds resurface and the atmosphere between the sisters is strained. But Emily’s warmth and persistence begin to bridge the gap—especially when she encourages Gracie to join a local running club. What starts as a reluctant step outside her comfort zone becomes a lifeline, as Gracie finds friendship, purpose, and a renewed sense of self. The growing bond with Emily gently nudges her closer to Jill, raising the question: can fractured family ties be mended with time, empathy, and a shared goal? And when Emily faces her own setback, it’s Gracie who must decide whether she’s ready to take the baton—and run not just for herself, but for everyone she’s come to love.

This story left me feeling inspired and deeply moved. Gracie’s journey isn’t just about running—it’s about reconciliation, resilience, and rediscovering joy in unexpected places. Penny Mirren writes with warmth and insight, reminding us that it’s never too late to heal old wounds or chase new dreams. I loved every step of Gracie and Jill’s transformations.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7901223138

https://maddybooksblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/gracie-jenkins-runs-marathon-by-penny.html

At 72 years of age Gracie accepts the challenge of running a marathon for a very good cause, alzheimers disease.  Her niece Emily was going to do it but due to an unfortunate incident she had to pull out. Gracie likes running but a marathon seems pretty steep. And it is.

Jill her sister and mother of Emily is determined to help her and researches all the best ideas and puts Gracie on a strict training regime. Along side that Emily's husband Andrew a retired scientist comes up with all kinds of "helpful" aids that he crafts in his garage.

Gracie belongs to a group of runners who all meet at a community hall afterwards where Jill runs a day of cheap meals for the local community. It is here that a great eclectic group meet and support each other.

I loved how Gracie handles all this and along with the community things begin to come together for many of them. There's some re-examining of the past, and some new relationships formed and a few surprises along the way.

This is a heart warming story, and  it challenges the concepts we have of age. Most of all it points to what can happen when people come together and really look out for each other. I won't be running a marathon but it was inspiring to be alongside Gracie as she gave it her all.

i really loved this. it was so sweet and seeing all the different friendships and relationships was so nice. the small town and community vibes were everything. i loved the way that we were in both gracie and jill (her sister)’s point of view as we got so much more out of the story. i would definitely recommend it!

Gracie Jenkins Runs a Marathon is a feel good read that shows it is never too late to challenge yourself. Gracie is 72 and happily retired from a career in teaching, the last thing anyone expects, including herself, is that she will decide to run the London Marathon, but when she does exactly that it changes her life in so many ways and proves that every adventure starts with just one step.
There is so much warmth and heart in this book, the real highlight for me was the community of characters the author created, from Gracie and her estranged sister Jill to the members of the local running club that Gracie joins, they really came to life on the page and made it easy for me to fee invested in the story. It was wonderful to read about such an energetic and determined older protagonist, but it also felt very realistic as we get to see her struggles as well as her triumphs, nothing was sugar coated. I think I want to be Gracie when I grow up!
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

This is a charming, inspiring story about family, reconciliation, and discovering new passions later in life. Gracie, a pensioner drifting through retirement, finds her world shifting when her estranged sister Jill and her niece Emily move into town. While her relationship with Jill remains strained, Gracie has grown close to Emily, who encourages her to join the local running club. What begins as a tentative step soon blossoms into a love of running, sparking a personal journey that’s as heartwarming as it is motivating.

The story alternates between Gracie’s and Jill’s perspectives, giving depth to their complicated relationship. The sibling dynamic is written with honesty and relatability—I often saw shades of my own relationship with my sister reflected in their struggles and triumphs. Watching them slowly work toward understanding and reconciliation was both moving and rewarding. Uplifting, funny, and full of heart, this novel proves it’s never too late to chase dreams or repair broken bonds.

Lovely tale of regaining your zest for life after retirement. Feel good, heartwarming book about family, love and finding friendship in unlikely places. What an inspiring main character too, I’m sure we all remember a teacher that made a difference to us. Lovely details about the London Marathon, it makes you feel like you are there.

Grace Jenkins Runs A Marathon by Penny Mirren is an inspiring and heartwarming story about courage, resilience, and rediscovery. I loved following Gracie’s journey as she proved that it is never too late to chase new dreams and embrace adventure. The mix of humor, determination, and community made this a truly uplifting read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and gave it five stars.

This should make you smile. It's a generous tale of found family and community. Gracie is 72, which is mature, but not too mature to join a running club and compete in a marathon. She finds more than she expected as she spends time with the group, not just about the others but about herself as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for when you need a heart warmer.

Penny Mirren does a fantastic job in writing this book, it had that feel that I was hoping for from the description. I enjoyed getting to know Gracie Jenkins and what was going on with her and the rest of the characters. It was everything that I wanted and enjoyed and was invested in what was going on. The writing was so well done and left me wanting to read more and had that character development that I wanted.

A great story with an older protagonist with an aim in life. This is an uplifting read and one that you feel totally relaxed whilst reading it. I was totally invested from start to finish.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Thanks NetGalley for my copy. I loved the book. It was wonderful reading about the courage of an older lady to take on such a task. I also enjoyed the characters and the sub storylines.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s got humor and heart. It’s a feel good book. The writing is incredible. I actually felt as if I was running the marathon with Gracie. There’s a lot of little life lesson sprinkled throughout the book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Gracie Jenkins Runs a Marathon by Penny Mirren was an inspirational, heartwarming, and fun read. Gracie Jenkins is exactly who I want to be in about 30 years!

Gracie is a pensioner who’s drifting through retirement when her estranged sister, Jill, and niece, Emily, move into the same town. Gracie and her niece have developed a good relationship in the interim, and at the beginning of the novel, Emily invites her aunt to join the local running club. Gracie falls in love with running, and so the seeds are planted for the rest of the story.

The main characters are Gracie and her little sister Jill. The POV alternates between the two throughout the book. The different POVs were well done and helped to move the plot line forward nicely. These two were both really relatable, and I could see a lot of similarities between the two sisters and my own sister and myself. It was lovely to see the two of them work toward reconciliation throughout the book.

This is the second book I’ve read by Penny Mirren. The first one was the Unretirement, which I also greatly enjoyed. Some common themes I’ve seen with this author’s work are: older female protagonists finding purpose after retirement, the community coming together to support a good cause, a great supporting cast of characters, and the importance of family bonds.

4/5 Stars. I loved the feel-good vibe of this book! With all the turmoil going on in the world right now, it’s so nice to read a book where the characters support and encourage each other and work together for the betterment of humanity.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penny Mirren, and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I tried to read this one, but the characters did not grab me after 30 pages. I chose to DNF this one. Nothing against it, or the writer, it just wasn't for me.

Not being interested in running or any form of exercise, I wasn’t sure how much I’d like this book. In fact I enjoyed it tremendously; it’s as much about friendship, family and community as running. It’s very much a feel good novel, and I felt quite emotional at the end. While it hasn’t inspired me to take up running, I’ll definitely read future books by Penny Mirren!

This is one amazing read. Two sisters who come back together after years a part . So much hurt . One ace husband . A great team of runners and a lovely story about running the marathon . Parents have a lot to answer for. A great read and hard to review but you will love it . One of my reads of 2025 .

Gracie Jenkins Runs a Marathon is a joyful, uplifting celebration of late-life adventure and the quiet resilience that so often goes unnoticed. Penny Mirren has created a wonderfully warm character in Gracie, whose story proves that it is never too late to chase a dream.

At 72, Gracie’s decision to train for a marathon feels both bold and believable. The spark that ignites her journey is touching, and the steps she takes—both literal and emotional—are inspiring without ever feeling forced. The writing is light but heartfelt, and there’s just the right balance of humour, tenderness and determination.

One of the loveliest aspects of the book is the community Gracie builds along the way. I enjoyed seeing how her journey ripples outwards, touching those around her and reminding them of their own hidden strength. It is not just about the miles or the medal, but the rediscovery of purpose, connection and joy.

This is a story full of heart, perfect for anyone in need of a gentle reminder that it is never too late to start again. Finishing it left me smiling and hopeful—just the way the best books do.

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Plan to purchase (for my mom and/or her retirement community). Doesn't get better than that for a recommendation! Definitely a feel good novel with renewing family ties as a central theme.

Gracie decides to start running with her niece's running group ... at the age of 72.

There are lots of dynamics going on.

I don't cry with many books ... and no tears were shed ... but I was pretty close a couple times. I really loved this book. I also really enjoyed Penny Mirren's The Unretirement published May 2024. I'll keep reading her novels. I'm quickly approaching 60 and Penny Mirren's novels have older central characters. Its probably why I like them so much.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Publishing for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Gracie Jenkins Runs a Marathon in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is Sept 11, 2025. Approx 350 pages.

I wish Penny Mirren had included a bit of background in regards to how/why she wrote this book. I guess I'll have to look for that in the final version!