COOPERSTOWN – Girls on the Run of Central New York took off this Sunday at Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown as teams participated in a 5K run/walk. A culmination of 10 weeks of practice and lessons, the run was a fun time for teams. The teams consisted of girls ranging from third to eighth grade and came from all parts of Central New York. Sherburne-Earlville, Bainbridge-Guilford, Greene and Unadilla Valley schools represented Chenango County.
“It was a pretty neat experience,” said Kelly York who had children that participated in the event. “It was huge.”
Sally Trosset, Counsel Director of GOTR of Central New York, explained that family members and friends were invited to join the girls in completing the 5K run/walk.
“The event is amazing, it's an amazing day,” said Trosset.
“We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running,” states the GOTR website.
GOTR is an after school program that involves training two times a week for 10 weeks. This year UV had two Girls on the Run teams with 15 girls each from grades three through five. UV had one Girls on Track team, which involved 12 girls from grades six through eight. While UV's teams were affiliated with the school, school affiliation is not a requirement. In order to be head/assistant coaches volunteers had to register and receive training before they could lead a team.
“It's not about finishing first... everyone gets a number one (race number),” said April Green, a head coach from UV. “It's about getting there with the goal of completing it and moving forward.”
Trosset explained that each lesson prior to the run/walk involved a physical work out and incorporated a topic, such as celebrating gratitude or encouraging the girls to learn about each other.
One of the bigger projects was a community service project.
“The girls trouble shoot and make up their own community service project,” said Trosset.
One team cleaned teachers' classrooms, while another wrote thank you cards to the teachers, explained Green about the UV teams.
“The main point of the community project... is for them to decide themselves and bring all of the materials to carry it out,” said Green.
Though this an important component, her favorite aspect of the program is seeing girls successfully complete the course when they doubted their ability at the beginning.
“They are empowered to make decisions, to be confident.” Green said. “They are so pleased with themselves (at the end of the race).”
While Chenango County was well-represented at the run/walk, there were many other teams present. Thirty-two schools in the area participated, with a total of 55 teams that registered. No winners were determined. Instead, all of the girls were treated like winners.
To energize the girls before the run/walk there were activities such as face painting, hair dying, Zumba and music. All girls received a t-shirt and medal for participating in the run, as well as goodies donated by local businesses and corporate sponsors.
Trosset explained that, as a not for profit, GOTR relies on donations from local businesses, private donations, grants and the small registration fee in order to cover costs. There are scholarships for girls who cannot afford the registration fee.
“No girl will be turned away from the program if she cannot afford the registration fee,” said Trosset.
GOTR of Central New York began in 2002, and is part of a nationally scripted program. Trosset explained that some volunteers have been participating since GOTR of Central New York began.
“It just shows what a great program it is,” she said. “It's a big community effort.”
Anyone wishing to begin a team for next spring should visit girlsontheruncny.org.