Girls on the Run of Hamilton County
FAQ’s
Q: Why the Young Age?
A: Studies show that girls between the ages of eight and twelve are still receptive to adult influence, while beginning to feel peer pressure. It is a period in our emotional and intellectual development when we become aware of and begin to recognize important life and relationship issues. In addition, learning to value physical activity early in life increases the likelihood of participants staying physically healthy into adulthood. Studies show that those who develop exercise habits by their teen years are most likely to maintain those habits for life. Regular, moderate exercise improves cardiovascular functioning, reduces the risk of developing breast cancer, osteoporosis and obesity and positively counters the effects of depression and anxiety.
Q: Is it safe for young girls to run the 5K (3.1 mile) distance?
A: Children’s bodies are well suited for endurance exercise, and numerous studies have shown that children show many positive physiological adaptations to endurance exercise training. The keys are gradual progression and common-sense adult supervision. If those conditions are met, running 3 miles is a reasonable goal for most young people.
-Russell R. Pate, Ph.D., Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina
Girls on the Run International began in 1996. Girls on the Run of Hamilton County began in February 2010.
We serve 3rd – 5th grade girls from a variety of backgrounds. From the Girls on the Run International website: Studies show that girls between the ages of eight and twelve are still receptive to adult influence, while beginning to feel peer pressure. It is a period in our emotional and intellectual development when we become aware of and begin to recognize important life and relationship issues. In addition, learning to value physical activity early in life increases the likelihood of participants staying physically healthy into adulthood. Studies show that those who develop exercise habits by their teen years are most likely to maintain those habits for life. Regular, moderate exercise improves cardiovascular functioning, reduces the risk of developing breast cancer, osteoporosis and obesity and positively counters the effects of depression and anxiety.
The curriculum is designed for 3rd-5th grade girls.
Studies show that girls between the ages of eight and twelve are still receptive to adult influence, while beginning to feel peer pressure. It is a period in our emotional and intellectual development when we become aware of and begin to recognize important life and relationship issues. In addition, learning to value physical activity early in life increases the likelihood of participants staying physically healthy into adulthood. Studies show that those who develop exercise habits by their teen years are most likely to maintain those habits for life. Regular, moderate exercise improves cardiovascular functioning, reduces the risk of developing breast cancer, osteoporosis and obesity and positively counters the effects of depression and anxiety.
Children’s bodies are well suited for endurance exercise, and numerous studies have shown that children show many positive physiological adaptations to endurance exercise training. The keys are gradual progression and common-sense adult supervision. If those conditions are met, running 3 miles is a reasonable goal for most young people.
-Russell R. Pate, Ph.D., Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina
Absolutely. The girls are just asked to try their best – which sometimes means hopping, skipping or walking part of the way. We celebrate every girl when she crosses the finish line, regardless of her time. The most important thing is that they set a goal at the start of the season, worked towards it, and eventually accomplish it. According to Dr. Pate at USC’s Department of Exercise Science, “The keys are gradual progression and common-sense adult supervision. If those conditions are met, running 3 miles is a reasonable goal for most young people.”
Girls on the Run is not designed to be a competitive running program. Girls of all atheltic abilities may participate. Our mission is to help prepare pre-teen girls for a lifetime of self respect and healthy living. We accomplish this through our 12 week curricula that addresses many aspects of girls’ development – their physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. Lessons provide girls with the tools to make positive decisions and to avoid risky adolescent behaviors. The curricula also includes training to run/walk a non competitive 5K/
Your fee of $125 covers 24 uplifting lessons, a GOTR t-shirt, healthy snacks after every lesson, water bottle, journal, 5k race registration, finisher’s medal, official New Balance Girls on the Run 5k t-shirt and more! As a non-profit, we wish to reach as many girls as possible. We will not turn away any girl due to financial circumstances and have scholarships available.
Please contact GOTR via email at councildirector@gotrhamiltoncounty.org for scholarship information.
These are corporations who have donated to GOTR HC
Please have your school contact us through our email at councildirector@hotrhamiltoncounty.org
No, at the moment we do not offer a summer program.
Girls on the Run International piloted a boys program within their Charlotte, NC Council for several years. In early 2005, they made the difficult decision to cancel the pilot program due to lack of interest and to not roll out the boys program to the other councils within the United States. Because of the premise of GOTR and the nature of the lessons, they found that boys did not relate well to the curriculum and overall values of the program. It is our hope that a different organization may create a similar, non-competitive program for boys, but it is not in our foreseeable future.
