Who Runs the World? Girls on the Run

By: By Taylor Andres

Registration for the spring 2019 program of Girls on the Run opens Jan. 16 for girls in third- through eighth-grade. Hosted by Girls on the Run of Magee, the program, which inspires thousands of girls nationwide each year, will take place from March 4 through May 24.

The Girls on the Run program consists of 10 weeks dedicated to conditioning the mind, body and spirit through physical exercise, social and emotional skill building and community service. The curriculum for the program was developed based on experience and research. Trained coaches creatively integrate running in a way that instills a lifelong love for health and fitness in young girls. At the end of the 10 weeks, the girls complete a non-competitive 5k to celebrate the growth they have made as strong and competent individuals.

Girls on the Run of Magee was established in 2001 to serve Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, Washington, Westmoreland and Venango counties. Since its establishment, over 15,000 girls have benefited from all the program has to offer.

This organization empowers girls by teaching them lessons in confidence, character, care, competence, connections and contribution. Girls learn beneficial life skills such as making intentional decisions, recognizing personal strengths, empathizing with others and forming positive connections all while serving the community as meaningful contributors to society.

The social pressures and mixed messages placed on young and adolescent girls can cause their physical and mental confidence to drop, friendships to struggle and chances of developing anxiety and depression to increase. Girls on the Run works to unlock the potential found inside every girl, giving them the tools to be successful no matter what their goals may be.

Anyone can coach a Girls on the Run team if they meet the requirements and complete mandatory training sessions. Coaching is a three-hour commitment per week for the ten weeks of the program.

To find out how you can get involved with Girls on the Run of Magee, visit their website.

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