Five Reasons to Participate in a Girls on the Run 5K
Music, face painting, excited kids – No, it’s not a carnival, it’s a Girls on the Run 5K event! Each season, Girls on the Run teams across the country participate in celebratory end-of-season 5K events to challenge themselves and acknowledge the hard work that they put in over their ten-week season. Together Counts, a national ally of Girls on the Run, encourages families to lead healthy, active lifestyles together and encourages participation in activities that are both fun and active!
The non-competitive events that Girls on the Run hosts are open to friends, family and community members and whether it’s your first 5K (like many participants!) or your fiftieth, we want you to be there! Still not convinced? Here are five reasons why your family should mark your local 5K event on your fall calendar:
1. Encourage healthy habits.
Participating in a 5K event as a family encourages healthy habits and goal setting from an early age. There are many free training resources online that can help your family prepare for the event and get your family moving weeks before the 5K date.
2. Be a part of something big.
Running events bring people together for one common goal: Cross the finish line. In 2015, Girls on the Run hosted the largest 5K event series in the country, bringing together thousands of people! The GOTR 5K events across the United States encourage everyone who participates to pursue healthy lifestyles and connect with others through physical activity.
3. Support girls in your community.
Along with being fun gatherings that encourage families to be active, Girls on the Run 5K events serve as fundraisers for local Girls on the Run councils. The funds raised from events directly impacts girls in your community and provide support for scholarships and Girls on the Run programs.
4. Find your happy pace.
Girls on the Run 5K events are non-competitive, meaning that runners and walkers of any pace are welcome to join in the fun! During Girls on the Run, girls learn that it’s not about being the fastest but instead trying your personal best and finding a pace where you’re pushing yourself. The same idea applies to the 5K!
5. It’s so much fun!
It’s called a celebration for a reason! To make Girls on the Run 5K events a memorable experience, runners are encouraged to wear goofy outfits (superhero cape, anyone?), get their faces painted, color their hair at happy hair stations and dance around during warm ups. Kids of all ages can have fun joining in the festivities.
Participating in a Girls on the Run 5K event is sure to be a fun experience that your family will not forget! To find a Girls on the Run 5K event in your area, visit the Girls on the Run website and find your local council here.
About Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade. During the ten-week season, volunteer coaches lead girls through a research-based curriculum that uses dynamic discussions and running games to teach life skills. Each Girls on the Run season culminates with a celebratory 5K event that welcomes family, friends and community members to recognize the girls accomplishments throughout the season. Girls on the Run has councils in all fifty states and the District of Columbia and has served over 1.2 million girls.
For more fun ways to get active as a family, check out these other articles from Together Counts!