Western New England University will be the site for Girls on the Run Western MA's 5K celebration on Saturday, June 8. The event anticipates drawing 3,000-3,500 attendees, including participants, coaches, and supporters. Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that teaches life skills through interactive lessons and running games, aimed at girls in 3rd to 8th grade.
This spring, the program involves 970 participants across 67 sites in Western Massachusetts, supported by 270 volunteer coaches. The ten-week curriculum culminates in the 5K event, designed to foster confidence, peer connections, and community involvement. One participant shared, "I like Girls on the Run because it makes you more confident when you're talking to others, and it helps you control your emotions when you're feeling sad or anxious."
This year marks a milestone for Girls on the Run Western MA, which has served its 10,000th girl since its inception in 2015. The 5K event, starting at 10:30 a.m. with a group warm-up at 10:00 a.m., includes activities beginning at 9:00 a.m. and is open to the public. Registration costs $25 for adults and $10 for youth under 12, with the first 700 registrants receiving an event shirt. Early arrival is recommended, as registration opens at 9:00 a.m.
A parent of a participant highlighted the program's impact: "Girls on the Run has been transformative for my daughter. She has participated every year since 3rd grade and the strategies she has learned have helped her weather tough friendship situations, bullying, and anxiety. I've seen her communicate more effectively and more confidently with those around her since starting GOTR, and she is also more aware of and assertive about expressing her inner feelings and emotions."
Volunteers are essential for the event's success, and those interested in contributing can find more information about volunteering, as well as event registration, at www.girlsontherunwesternma.org.
