Girls on the Run is a life-changing character development program for girls in third, fourth and fifth grade (ages 8-12) that uses the power of running to teach every girl about her personal power and the importance of being healthy and active. The Girls on the Run program combines training to participate in the 3.1-mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts and a community service project. The program instills self-esteem and strong values through health education, life skills development, mentoring relationships, and physical training -- all of which are accomplished through an active collaboration with girls and their parents, schools, volunteers, staff and the community.

There are more than 160 chapters of Girls on the Run in the United States and Canada. The Turn 2 Foundation has partnered to support both the Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run and Girls on the Run of Hillsborough County Florida.

Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run End of Season Event

Sandy Barry-Loken of the Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run took some time to thank the Turn 2 Foundation for their continued support of the Girls on the Run program. In addition to the Foundation's on-going sponsorship support, Turn 2 contributed to the end of the season event on May 21st by providing Derek's All-Star Manual to all of its 2000, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade race participants. The Michigan Jeter's Leaders were also on hand to lend their support, encouragement and to cheer the girls on as they ran the 5k. Ms. Barry Loken expressed her sincere appreciation of the leadership program's efforts and said, "It is a gift to have the hands-on support from the group locally."

Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run 2007-2008 Highlights

Nearly 1,900 third, fourth and fifth grade girls, their volunteer coaches, as well as more than 500 community runners and walkers participated in the Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run WonderGirl 5K on May 22, 2008. The WonderGirl 5K, which began and ended at Waldo Stadium on the campus of Western Michigan University, was the culmination of 10 weeks of training and life lessons for these girls. At the WonderGirl 5K, every girl is No. 1 and every girl wins.

Girls on the Run of Hillsborough County 2007-2008 Highlights

Girls on the Run of Hillsborough County, sponsored by the Ophelia Project and Boys Initiative of Tampa Bay, had a successful first season this summer. After the pilot program in the spring, four sites in the community served as GOTR locations, including local Parks and Recreation sites. Despite the hot Florida summer and the many afternoon thunderstorms, the program had 45 girls who persevered through the season with smiles on their faces! More than 20 girls completed the final 5K race. That excitement has propelled the program into the fall, in which it anticipates even more participants and fun!