Girls on the Run

INSPIRATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN, November 2007


Girls on the Run


Now here is a ‘way cool’ program that teaches important life lessons about some of the challenges that girls face as they get older, through running games and workouts!

Founded in the U.S. in 1996, by Molly Barker, 4-time Hawaii Ironman triathlete, Girls on the Run was soon to gain popularity and become an international non-profit organization in 2000. It is now in over 135 cities across North America, with tens of thousands of girls and women participating. Rina loved it so much, she started her own Council in Canada.

Girls Can Do Anything Magazine Editor, Jenifer Merifield, met up with Rina De Donato, Council Director of Girls on the Run (GOTR), York Region and GTA, to learn more.

“What a fantastic program” says Jenifer, “It’s easy to see why Rina is so dedicated and passionate about it.”

The program has 18 sessions that focus on specific topics, following a special format, to provide structure and consistency. Briefly, without giving it all away, at each session they check in, warm up, process the topic, do the combined workout/topic exercise and wrap it up with positive reinforcement.

The amazing success of the overall program can be credited in part by the carefully thought out structure. It is divided into the following four parts:
Part 1) Who am I? What are my values? What are my goals?
Part 2) Team Building: What does it mean to be supportive and supported?
Part 3) Finding My Place and My Voice in the Community
Part 4) Choosing and conducting a community service project.

Then, when the formal program is finished, girls complete an exciting and very rewarding 5k walk/run event where they celebrate their success with their team members and families.

“We were honoured to be invited to attend this past May.

Despite the early morning rain, car after car filled the parking lot and hundreds of people filled the area eager to participate” recalls Jenifer, “it was very touching throughout the day to see all the smiles, the hugs, and the support. The energy was very powerful.”

‘Empowering girls from start to finish’ is the slogan Rina proudly uses. “The 5K run is not a competitive event” says Rina, “every one gets a number 1 on their shirt, and regardless of time, or whether they walk or run, they all get a medal.

All girls should feel good enough, and that’s what we strive for. I am very proud of each and every one of them.”

Rina is one of the nicest people Jenifer says she has met, and encourages others to give her a call and ask about getting involved.

Did we mention that the Girls on the Run program is hosted through schools? It’s a brilliant set-up. Girls do the program after school in the gym without having to get a drive somewhere else. Plus, they are attending the program with some of the most influential people they know - their peers! What better way to make a difference, than to do so with groups that spend the most time together.

If you would like to talk to Rina about getting GOTR in your school, visit the web site for more details: GirlsOnTheRun.ca

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