#48 Girls on the Run 5K

#48 was the Girls on the Run 5K Fall Run.  Girls on the Run is a character development program for girls from 3rd grade through 8th. They use exercise and positive reinforcement to provide girls with confidence before they stroll into the precarious teen years.  Over 3000 runners participated in this 10-year anniversary event.

Their website is filled with powerful, positive words like:  Empowerment.  Responsibility.  Intentionality. Gratitude.  Healthy.  Optimism. Nurturing.  Compassionate.  Joy.  Open-Hearted.  Diversity.  Connectedness.  

Other than the fact that some of these aren't actual words.  (Connectedness and Intentionality are not in the dictionary.  I looked.).....but that aside.   Wow, good stuff.  I'd like to be a part of this program.  Do they have sessions for adults? Where do I sign?

This run is a capstone event for the 12 week session.  And the girls are dressed in a variety of colorful attire.

The run started at Yeatman's Cove down by the river and wound around the downtown area ending back at Sawyer Point.

There were 3 waves of participants; those wanting to run the entire race, those running and walking the course and finally those walking the entire race and the stroller crowd.

Jo and I were attempting to run the entire thing.  Jo has completed many races running the entire stretch.  I have yet to accomplish that. There is no timing chip for this race.  It's clearly about YOUR personal best.  


I was really impressed with the coaching.  Some were parents.  Others were adults who enjoy running. Kudos to the dads who appeared in tiaras and tutus to run with their daughters.  

There were lots of people.  Hands down this race had the best cheering section ever.  The parents are encouraged to cheer their kids on during the race and maps are provided with notations as to "best" cheering positions to take.

There was none of the whining of previous races.  These girls knew what they were in for and stood up to the challenge.  Some finished with flourish; others were dragging.  But they finished and the crowd cheered them on.  This was so much better than the princess runs and glitter and costumes.  Teaching young girls to be in charge of their future through empowerment and responsibility has far longer lasting impact than any glitter hairdo or fairy princess wand.

I really felt like I was creeping.  I didn't have a kid to mentor.  Going to have to work on that...  But I managed to post my best time yet.  39:19....  Personal record.  (Who-Hoo!)