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SALT LAKE CITY — On June 1, Sugarhouse Park will be overwhelmed by a sea of pink as the Girls on the Run do a 5k with their coaches and running buddies.
The program targets girls from 3rd to 8th grades and the 5k race recruits women of all ages. However, for the younger girls, the end race is only part of the program.
"It teaches you that running can relieve your stress rather than doing anything else," said Emmie Slack, a past participant doing the race again. "I learned that you can be just you, and you don't have to be anyone else that you try to be."
While the program targets girls and aims to boost self-esteem and fitness, there's also an array of coaches to help motivate the girls to move.
"It's wonderful to be a part of their lives and have that extra interaction from another adult they can come to," said Emmie Slack's mother, Jamie, who participates in the program as a coach.
It teaches you that running can relieve your stress rather than doing anything else. I learned that you can be just you, and you don't have to be anyone else that you try to be.
–Emmie Slack, program participant
The program isn't just about running. It's 12 weeks of learning about themselves, teamwork and getting along with others. On top of that, they perform service activities.
The national program came to Salt Lake seven years ago, starting with two schools and 30 girls. This year they expect 650 girls and the program is expanding to Utah, Davis and Summit Counties.
If someone wants to be involved with the program, but aren't a girl or don't have a daughter, they can support Girls on the Run by becoming a running buddy or sponsor, said the program's executive director Heidi Moreton. She said fathers, brothers, friends, other youth leaders and more can all show support for girls at this critical time in their life.
Registration is open until June 1, the same day the 5k race will take place. For more information visit girlsontherunsaltlake.org.
