‘FREE TO BE ME’

GIRLS ON THE RUN

National founder: Molly Barker, met with Lincoln chapter in April after speaking at event held at Arvest Ballpark, at Springdale Northwest Arkansas Council director: Suzanne Clinard, suzanne. clinard@girlsontherun.org

Lincoln site coordinator: Rebbecca Pugh, 824-3010 ext. 3008 Razorback representation: Eleanor Hughes, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences - Area Health Education Centers (UAMS-AHEC)

Local physician involvement: Dr. Deborah Deere, Western Washington County Clinic

State involvement: Arkansas has 27 school districts, including Lincoln, participating

Lincoln area coaches and mentors: Marsha Hash, elementary principal; Carolyn Farrell, Megan Harris and Shannon Prater, elementary teachers; and Jamie Higby and Kimberly White, parents

Local participants: Lincoln third-, fourth- and fifth-grade girls History: National program founded in 1996 by Mollly Barker, a four-time Hawaii Ironman triathlete. According to the Girls on the Run website, Barker combined counseling and teaching expertise with research on adolescent issues to develop a curriculum and implemented training beginning with 13 girls in Charlotte, N.C. Barker first began running at the age of 15 when she found herself stuck in what she refers to as the “girl box,” when middle school age girls begin to morph into what they think they should be instead of being who they really are.

Mission: The organization believes girls get varying messages and works to address social trends which have influenced girls to conform to a set of standards that are often unattainable and dangerous to health and well-being. Method: The program combines training for a 5k event with confidence-building lessons that enhance the physical and mental health of 8– to 12-year-old girls. According to the website, Girls on the Run has grown to where the program is now offered in more than 150 cities across the continent with an impact upon hundreds of thousands.

Community service project: Pugh said the Lincoln girls choose something that they care about and work to make it better. Teams have raised money for the Lincoln animal shelter, helped with volunteering for Happy Hearts Christmas Tree program, and also conducted a socks and underwear drive for Happy Hearts.

Future plans: Lincoln plans to expand the program in the fall to include the middle school version called “Girls on Track.” Coaches will be needed and parents or those interested in coaching may contact Pugh at 824-3010, ext. 3008.

Stretching like crazy. The Lincoln chapter of Girls on the Run had fun with the warmups prior to participating in a 5K event on May 12, at Shiloh Christian School, at Springdale. The program works to bolster a girl’s self confidence and promotes an...

COURTESY PHOTOS The Lincoln chapter of Girls on the Run met Molly Barker, founder of the program, in April when she was the featured speaker at an event at Arvest Ballpark, at Springdale.