Accomplish With Kylie: Girls On The Run

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Girls on the Run is putting fun back in running for girls and teens across the Twin Cities.

But Girls on the Run is about much more than just exercise.

"It inspires girls to be confident. It gives them character," Mary Uran, Executive Director at Girls on the Run Twin Cities, said.

There are 35 sites across the Twin Cities Metro area, including Whittier Elementary School.

"We just get to run and express ourselves," Saraiah Jennings, a fourth grader at Whittier, said.

Jennings was clearly a runner before, but most of the girls hadn't ever run a mile. Now, they spend every Monday and Wednesday running after school training for a 5K in November.

But running is only a small part of Girls on the Run.

Every week, each practice comes with a lesson.

"We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun experience based curriculum that creatively integrates running," Uran said. "We talk about self-confidence, what makes me unique. We talk about healthy relationships."

Whether it's peer pressure or gossiping, Girls on the Run prepares the girls for so much more than just a race.

"To see the impact of character and connection and just seeing that self-confidence grow has been the best, most rewarding part of being with Girls on the Run," Uran said.

"We're doing so much to become something and it's just really fun and inspiring to me," Jennings said.

The Girls on the Run 5K is on November 14.

They want each girl to have a running buddy; someone to help cheer them along during the race and they are still looking for more volunteers! Also, volunteers can always start new Girls on the Run chapters. The deadline for that is December 1.

To sign up or to learn more about starting a site visit Girls on the Run online.