Ayers will sing "God Bless America" prior to the women's race, which begins at 10 AM ET. (In 2002 the New York Road Runners created an earlier starting time for the invited women runners in order to highlight what is the most competitive women's field in racing history. These women begin 35 minutes prior to the men and the rest of the runners.) "God Bless America" was penned by songwriter Irving Berlin and became the signature tune of the late Kate Smith.

Heather Ayers' theatrical credits include Harmony, Forbidden Broadway, Jane Eyre, Cabaret, Steel Magnolias, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Man of La Mancha and Sylvia.

Five Course Love plays the Minetta Lane Theatre, located in Manhattan at 18 Minetta Lane between Sixth Avenue and MacDougal Street. Show times are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 and 8 PM and Sundays at 3 and 7 PM. Tickets, priced at $65, are available by calling (212) 307-4100 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.