The community is invited to run, walk or cheer on more than 300 grade-school girls as they run the New Balance Girls on the Run® 5K, Sat. May 22 at 10 a.m. The fun run/walk is at Seward Park , 5895 Lake Washington Blvd. S, and is open to all members of the public. And yes, capes and costumes are encouraged.

The event benefits the Girls on the Run® of Puget Sound, a non-profit organization that operates an after-school fitness and empowerment program for pre-teen girls.  More than a fundraiser, the 5K is the crowning achievement for 300 third, fourth, and fifth-grade girls currently participating in the 10-week, character-development program.  The program combines lessons on life skills such as handling bullies, setting goals and making good decisions with physical fitness skills for a non-competitive 5K event.          

The goal of Girls on the Run is to arm pre-teen girls with the inner-strength to help get them through the personal trials of the upcoming adolescent years.  Girls are particularly vulnerable to a decline in self-esteem during their adolescence, but a high level of general self-worth and a good attitude toward physical activity can be protective factors. 

Race details and registration are available at the Girls on the Run of Puget Sound website: http://www.girlsrun.org/5k.html. Check out last season’s 5k video.

On Sat., Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. a group of special grade-school girls will look to Seattle’s everyday heroes to help them cross the finish line at the New Balance Girls on the Run® 5K. The fun run/walk  at Seward Park , 5895 Lake Washington Blvd. S, is open to all members of the public. And yes, capes and costumes are encouraged.

 The event benefits the Girls on the Run® of Puget Sound, a non-profit organization that operates an after-school fitness and empowerment program for pre-teen girls.  More than a fundraiser, the 5K is the crowning achievement for 160 third, fourth, and fifth-grade girls currently participating in the 10-week, character-development program.  The program combines lessons on life skills such as handling bullies, setting goals and making good decisions with physical fitness skills for a non-competitive 5K event.       

Race details and registration are available at the Girls on the Run of Puget Sound website: http://www.girlsrun.org/5k.html. You can also register the day of the event.