Girls on the Run changes lives

A new session is starting later this month.

By LAURE CIOFFI

VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU

HERMITAGE, Pa. — When Jenna Rimko was in the fifth grade, she joined an after-school program at the Reynolds School District not knowing what to expect.

But the lessons learned in that program, Girls on the Run, have changed life for the now 16-year-old Reynolds High School student.

“Not only did I get physically fit, but it taught me spiritually how to help others,” Jenna said.

She kept on with the program through her sixth-grade year, and it has inspired her to continue running. She is on the cross country and track teams at her school.

This self-esteem building program started seven years ago in Mercer County for “tween” girls and, at that time, attracted fewer than a dozen participants.

But in the last few years the program has blossomed to attracted more than 100 participants, and organizers say it’s growing.

What this is about

Girls on the Run, a 16-session program that combines physical exercise with pertinent topics for girls in grades four through six, had 114 Mercer County participants last year. Registration is now being taken for the program that begins later this month.

“The whole goal is for these girls to boost their self-esteem with running and games,” said Leann Martin, Girls on the Run coordinator. The program is offered through the UPMC Horizon Womancare Center, and all of the coaches are UPMC employees.

But being the best runner isn’t the goal: It’s participating in the classroom-type lessons and just experiencing the camaraderie that grows among the girls during the sessions with the physical exercise element, Martin said.

Martin recalled that during her first year with the program, there was a physically disabled youngster enrolled.

“She was not able to walk or even run very well and had major surgery during the session, and she still came to Girls on the Run. It’s not just a running program,” Martin said.

The instructors talk to the youngsters about healthy eating habits, the perils of gossiping, bullying, drugs and alcohol, learning that change is good and other topics.

History of program

Girls on the Run is a national program started by Molly Barker of Charlotte, N.C. Barker, a triathlete who also has a background in counseling and teaching, started running at age 15. But it wasn’t until 1993 that the inspiration for Girls on the Run hit and she developed the curriculum and started with 13 girls.

There are now Girls on the Run programs in 150 cities in North America.

In addition to the important lessons offered, girls involved are also training for a 5K run.

Martin said a good many who have been in the UPMC Horizon program have continued with running even after leaving the sixth grade, and many volunteer to help with the program.

“Girls who never thought they could run a lap or a mile are still running 5K community races,” she said.

The Mercer County program had been held at area schools as part of after-school programs in those districts, but this year the entire program will be offered at the Womancare Center and is open to all county residents.

Martin said it has been difficult to get gymnasium time at the schools. The program requires both indoor and outdoor facilities, which are available at the center.

It’s a program the 16-year-old alumna, Jenna Rimko, can’t recommend enough to youngsters.

“I felt really good about myself,” she said of her experience.

cioffi@vindy.com