5K Run Draws Support for Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run (GOTR) of Southwest Washington celebrated the culmination of its spring program with the New Balance Girls on the Run 5K at Longview Memorial Stadium on May 16.

More than 300 runners participated in the event, including 180 elementary and middle school girls who recently completed GOTR’s spring session. Participating schools included Castle Rock Elementary, Barnes Elementary, Northlake Elementary, Olympic Elementary, Mint Valley Elementary, Coweeman Middle School, Mount Solo Middle School, Cascade Middle School, and Monticello Middle School.

“This year’s went far beyond what I expected,” said GOTR Council Director Christy Van Curen. “It’s wonderful to see such strong support from our community. I’m very proud of the girls, the volunteers, the parents, and everyone else who attended or assisted with the event.”

Pacific Surgical Institute (PSI) has been a gold sponsor of Girls on the Run of Southwest Washington since 2007. PSI has purchased running shoes for 341 local girls who have completed the program. As a result of this effort, Cowlitz on the Move recognized PSI in April as a “Community Champion” for its support of Girls on the Run.

Girls on the Run encourages positive emotional, social, mental, and physical development among adolescent girls. GOTR participants meet with coaches twice a week for twelve weeks, not only to train for a culminating 5K run but also to talk about age-appropriate issues that range from nutrition and alcohol use to teamwork and peer pressure.