PITTSBURGH, May 10, 2016 – Following a 12-week season of training, confidence-building and community service, Girls on the Run of Magee-Womens Hospital will host its annual spring 5K event, presented by Eat’n Park, at 9 a.m., Sunday, May 15 at Hartwood Acres.

 

Girls on the Run (GOTR), an international non-profit organization, uses running to encourage third through eighth grade girls to be physically active while developing key life skills, such as teamwork, goal setting and character building. Volunteer-led teams meet twice a week to train and participate in a curriculum designed to inspire young girls to reach their full potential.

 

“The 5K is a non-competitive event that provides our girls with a goal to work toward during the season,” explained Ellen Giarusso, program coordinator for Magee’s chapter of Girls of the Run. “The event shows them that finishing a run is just the beginning when it comes to going after their dreams.”

 

Last year, southwestern Pennsylvania’s Girls on the Run 5K events had over 2,600 runners, including program participants, their running buddies and other community members. The event is open to the public, and the cost to participate is $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the 5K, which includes the event fee and a short-sleeved, technical fabric event shirt.

 

This season, Girls on the Run International celebrated its 20th anniversary. 225 councils across the United States and Canada have served more than 1 million girls over the last 20 years, and those numbers continue to grow. This is the 16th season for Girls on the Run of Magee-Womens Hospital, which has served over 12,000 local girls, including 1,418 girls last year alone.

 

For more information about the 5K event, how to register and volunteer opportunities, visit www.gotrmagee.org/5k.