CHICO — Excited cheers filled the air as hundreds of Girls on the Run of the North State program participants crossed the finish line Saturday morning, marking the end of their fall season with a celebratory 5K Fun Run.
Girls on Run culminates each season with a run. The program utilizes physical activities as tools to instill confidence, life skills and teamwork. The organization’s north state chapter has served over 8,000 girls since its inception in 2010, and the national total exceeds 2.25 million since 1996.
“Girls on the Run is so important to teach young girls that they have the ability to do anything they want to do, and their potential is limitless,” said Claire Johnson, the local group’s executive director.
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Girls on the Run is an afterschool youth development program for third- to eighth-graders designed to strengthen girls’ social, psychological and physical development. It has two 10-week seasons — fall and spring — with meetings twice a week on school campuses.
Starting bright and early Saturday morning, with participants arriving before 8 am, the event began with a Zumba warm-up led by elementary school teacher and Zumba instructor Krizia Garcia-VerSteeg. Shortly after she got everyone’s blood flowing, the runners were off to the races.
“I think it’s just a really powerful event for all community members, especially the younger siblings and parents,” Garcia-VerSteeg said. “It’s just a cool way for them to come out and make our young girls feel powerful in a safe and fun setting.”
The 5K began at about 8:30 am, starting on South Park Road toward Caper Acres and looping around lower Bidwell Park. An inflatable arch by Sycamore Field signified the finish line as family and friends met runners with cheers and love.
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“I think it’s important to get the girls moving, and then when they’re out there, they encourage each other and boost each other up,” said Ariana Rodarte, a team coach and program alumna.
Many runners were accompanied by “running buddies” — for the most part, family members and friends.
“It felt like really awesome,” nine-year-old Cora Landerwerf said. “I tell my friends that Girls on the run is so much fun.”
Said Landerwerf’s older brother and running buddy, Mel: “It felt so awesome. I mean, I might cry.”
‘Added passion’
After the runners crossed the finish line, they were treated to water, snacks and photo ops throughout the adjacent picnic areas. Laughter, music and positivity rang all around the grounds as supporters celebrated and congratulated the girls.
Hailey Johnson, an alumna and running buddy to younger sister Macie, said, “I did this when I was younger, and she ran with me, and so now she’s doing it, and I get to run with her, so it’s a full circle moment.”
Girls on the Run focuses on providing a real sense of accomplishment and putting a confident mindset into movement. The program is evidence-based and also recognized by the National Afterschool Association (NAA) as one of the most influential afterschool programs in health and wellness.
“We teach them to recognize that they can do anything they put their minds to and to always recognize their star power,” coach Tammie Scrima said. “I just wish I would have had a program like this growing up to really help me recognize that I am amazing no matter what.”
Independent studies on the program concluded that 97% of the girls learn critical life skills such as resolving conflict and helping others, as well as agreeing that they can be themselves at Girls on the Run. Studies have also recognized a 40% uptick in physical activity among girls who were least active at the program’s start.
“We have an evidence-based curriculum, and we train all of our coaches so that they deliver the curriculum with fidelity,” Claire Johnson said. “Having it on campus makes it accessible to everyone, and I also think it comes with this added passion to ensure our girls get something the last generation didn’t get.”
The spring season will begin on Feb. 3 or 17 (depending on school holidays) and end of the week of April 28 or May 5. Registration for the spring season will open on Dec. 10 and is first come, first serve. Visit gotrnorthstate.org for more information.