On a beautiful Sunday morning, young boys and girls were lacing up their shoes under the sun to get ready for the Girls on the Run/STRIDE 5K run. After training with their teams for weeks, they were ready to prove to themselves that they are capable of greatness. This program teaches our youth that there are no limits to what they can do. There are only opportunities to be remarkable.
Before the start of the run, the runners visited the Celebration Station where they got their spirit on! They spray painted their hair different colors, added glitter, face paint and tattoos. Laughter and excitement filled the air as each runner prepared for the 5K. After the national anthem was sung by some of the GOTR girls, the runners were on their way.
One by one, each runner ran through the finish line smiling at their accomplishment while their parents and coaches cheered with excitement. The runners ran into their parents arms while their parents exclaimed how proud they were of their child for all their hard work.
“You can accomplish anything you put your mind to, you just have to try your hardest,” says Elayna, age 10.
“Our coaches pushed us to work hard, and we did,” says Sarah, age 10.
“I ran with my grandma today and I’m very proud of myself, I trained very hard for it. I learned that I can actually run a 5K!” says Jordan, age 11.
GOTR teaches life skills through fun, engaging lessons that celebrate the joy of movement. It teaches our youth how to understand themselves, value relationships and teamwork, and how we connect with and shape the world at large. It helps them to develop and improve competence, feel confidence in who they are, develop strength of character, respond to others and oneself with care and compassion, create positive connections with peers and adults, and make a meaningful contribution to community and society.
