BOONE—The nonprofit organization Girls on the Run International – a physical-activity based, positive youth development (PA-PYD) program that empowers girls in the 3rd – 8th grade – has announced it will serve its one-millionth girl in 2015. Girls on the Run of the High Country is part of that milestone, having served more than 800 girls since its launch in 2009.

Girls on the Run is in more than 200 cities across North America. Through a curriculum that includes fun team activities and running games, the program teaches girls life skills like trying your best, standing up for yourself and developing healthy friendships. By the end of the 10-week program, girls’ emotional and physical health is enriched. The Girls on the Run curriculum is taught by certified, volunteer coaches who encourage each girl to understand and celebrate herself, value healthy relationships and realize her power to impact the world.

Each season culminates in a celebratory 5K that unleashes confidence through accomplishment, providing participants with a lifelong memory of setting and achieving a big goal.

“At its heart, Girls on the Run is about inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy and confident. With knowledge of the inner strength and resilience they possess, they can go on to build lives of substance and meaning,” said Mary Sheryl Horine, Girls on the Run of the High Country director. “Imagine the impact one million Girls on the Run alumnae will have – and are already having – on their communities and the world at large.”

Registration for May 3 event

The next Girls on the Run of the High Country event is May 3 at 2 p.m., with the ZAP Fitness Girls on the Run 5K. Registration is now open. The non-competitive run will be held at the Lowes River Edge Park in North Wilkesboro.The event is sponsored by Appalachian State University’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Institute for Health and Human Services.

The event is open to the public, in addition to all current and past participants of Girls on the Run. To register, visit http://gotr.appstate.edu/5K. Anyone under the age of 14 will need a running buddy to register and run with them. Registration fees are $20 and day of registration will open starting at noon.

In addition to the run, there will also be warm-up activities, a happy hair station, an art table, a photo board and food provided by Panera Bread, Lowe’s Food, Maw’s Produce, Our Daily Bread, Qdoba, Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery and Dixie Doughnuts.

For more information on this event or volunteering for Girls on the Run, visit http://gotr.appstate.edu or contact Horine at Appalachian’s Institute for Health and Human Services at 828-252-7557 or [email protected].

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.