LIFE

Girls on the Run take the spotlight

Special to the Democrat

On Saturday, more than 120 girl participants celebrated successfully completing the Girls on the Run of the Big Bend 10-week program with the 80s inspired Girls Just Wanna Have Fun 5K walk/run.

Girls on the Run participant and buddies in Saturday's race.

To date, GOTRBB has seen more than 350 girls empowered through the program to find confidence by engaging in interactive life lessons, team building, and running.

“I think Girls on the Run is an awesome organization, and I think girls are awesome. I love empowerment of our young women,” said R Jai Gillum, wife of Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. “I can’t wait to have the young girls here today become coaches and teach my little girl to run.”

Over 100 volunteers stepped up and shared in the joy and fun of the 5K centered around building confidence and friendships. Florida State University women’s basketball team led more than 300 participants in pre-run stretches and gave out high fives and cheers along with coaches, running buddies and supporting families as all made their way to the start line.

“It’s really great to see all the girls support each other and put together the lessons they learned this season,” Ashley Mooney, GOTR Coach said. “It’s truly a nice thing to see girls acting out in caring and confident ways.”

The high energy and positivity of the day could not have been possible without a big thank you to all of

The 2015 program supporters and 5K sponsors include the GOTRBB Board of Directors, Comcast, Capital City Runners, Amber Tynan, BA Fitness, Mainline Information Systems, Junior League of Tallahassee, Orange Theory Fitness, Gamma Phi Beta, BodyTrac Health & Fitness Park Avenue, FSU Credit Union, NAI Talcor, Sweat Therapy Fitness, AJAX Building Corporation, Hoy + Stark Architects, Ausley McMullen, Humana, Michelle & Bo Winokur, Tallahassee Kiwanis Club, and Gabrielle Consulting, Inc

Spring season registration for girls third through 8th grade will open in early January. GOTRBB is now seeking coaches and new sites. For more information on the program or volunteering, visit www.gotrbigbend.org.