Register for Eastmark’s first Girls on the Run group by Aug. 20.

Ready, set, run! Eastmark girls in third through eighth grades are invited to join the neighborhood’s very first Girls on the Run group this fall.

Not a runner? Not a problem. Girls on the Run is about so much more than running. Through an established curricula, the international program also helps young girls develop skills to navigate social pressures and establish a lifetime appreciation for health and fitness.

Hurry, registration for the 10-week program ends Aug. 20!

Girls on the Run started in 1996 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has since grown to more than 200 groups across the country. We are so lucky that Eastmark resident Jennifer Hanlin is now bringing the group to our neck of the woods.

Jennifer’s daughters participated in Girls on the Run when they lived in the West Valley and she saw firsthand the physical and emotional benefits of the program.

“There is the physical activity part, but there is also the focus on positive body image and dealing with social issues and bullying,” says Jennifer. “You don’t have to be a runner. The girls participate in small, progressive exercises to build them up to the point where they feel confident they can complete a 5K run.”

Registration is $180 (scholarships are available) and includes lesson materials, snacks, a program t-shirt, a water bottle, final 5K race registration, and a finisher’s medal.

There are two programs: Girls on the Run for third through fifth graders, and Heart and Sole for sixth through eighth graders.

The girls will meet twice a week at The Eastmark Great Park (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 to 6:30 p.m.) for a physical activity plus the program curriculum, including arts and crafts for the younger girls, and journaling for the older girls.

The girls will also contribute to the Eastmark community through a special community service project to be completed during the session.

And, they’re off! A mid-point 5K will be held on Sept. 30 in Eastmark, and a final 5K will be held on Nov. 18 at Wesley Bolin Plaza in downtown Phoenix. The final run will include Girls on the Run groups from across Maricopa and Pinal counties, and is open for others to join as well (rally those siblings and friends for a friendly run).

Several Eastmark residents have already lined up to serve as coaches, assistant coaches, and to share their expertise in nutrition, exercise, and healthy living.

And there are other ways that Eastmark residents can support the group. Water donations are always welcome! You can also sign up to be a running buddy (must be at least 16 years old and physically active) to run with the girls at the mid-point 5K and the final 5K. Volunteers will also be needed for set up, water distribution, and more at the mid-point 5K to be held in Eastmark.

Questions? Want to get involved? Jennifer Hanlin is your Girls on the Run go-to and she can be reached by email or at 602-690-8552.

Girls on the Run Eastmark

Session begins: Sept. 5
Days & Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: The Eastmark Great Park
Mid-point 5k: Sept. 30 (Eastmark)
Session ends: Nov. 16
Final 5k: Nov. 18 (downtown Phoenix)