Girls On The Run

(Monday) May 24, 2010

By Rebecca Newsham
alexandrianews.org

Girls On The Run Jefferson Houston Elementary team members. (Photo: Rebecca Newsham)

Girls On The Run 5K race is under way in the rain. (Photo: Rebecca Newsham)

Despite yesterday’s rain, more than 3,000 girls from Northern Virginia participated in the New Balance Girls on the Run 5K at George Mason University.  Each girl was accompanied by an adult “buddy runner.”

Girls On The Run William Ramsay Elementary team members.(Photo: Rebecca Newsham)

Girls On The Run Charles Barrett team members. (Photo: Rebecca Newsham)

Jefferson-Houston, William Ramsay, Charles Barrett, Douglas MacArthur, Maury, and George Mason Elementary schools have Girls on the Run programs.  Each year, the girls train for two events, one in the fall and one in the spring.  Each week after school, the girls meet and run with teammates and adult sponsors.

Girls On The Run Douglas MacArthur team members. (Photo: Rebecca Newsham)

Girls on the Run was founded in 1996 as a life-changing, experiential learning programs for girls age eight to thirteen years old. The programs combine training for a 3.1 mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals of the programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development.

Girls On The Run George Mason Elementary team members. (Photo: Rebecca Newsham)

Girls On The Run Maury Elementary team members. (Photo: Rebecca Newsham)