Beth Peralta
I first learned about Girls on the Run (GOTR) a few years ago and thought it sounded like a fantastic idea: To teach young girls to enjoy exercise while boosting self-esteem in a fun, supportive environment. Doing some research, I was disappointed to find out that there was not yet a chapter in Champaign-Urbana.
Fast forward to this spring, and I heard that a chapter was starting in Champaign County in partnership with The Stephens Family YMCA. I immediately sent an email to the Council Director, Mary Konken, to get the scoop. And now, we’re going to share the great news with all the readers of chambanamoms.com!
What is GOTR? How did you get involved?
Mary: GOTR is an afterschool youth development program for 3rd-5th grade girls. The mission of GOTR is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.
I became involved with GOTR when my family moved away from C-U, in 2012 to Ft Wayne, Indiana. Shortly after the 5k, my husband was offered a job here back in Champaign. After we got settled I started inquiring about starting a GOTR council. I talked to the Director of Girls on the Run of East Central Illinois, who connected me with Mark Johnson, CEO of The Stephens Family YMCA.
Tell us about GOTR and what a girl experiences who signs up for the program.
Mary: There are two different programs that fall under GOTR: Girls on the Run for 3rd-5th graders and Girls on Track for 6th-8th graders. In our first few seasons, we will only be offering the Girls on the Run Program. The teams of 15 girls will meet after school two times per week for 10 weeks. We teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k (3.1 miles) running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishments while establishing a lifetime of appreciation of health and fitness.
A girl that signs up will experience a lot of fun! They will also learn a lot about themselves and their teammates and learn to celebrate their individual differences.
Tell us about the 5K event: when is it, where is it, and who can participate?
Mary: The Girls on the Run 5K is unlike any other 5k! It is a celebratory event to honor the girls and their hard work! It is a fun, non-competitive 5k. Our 5k will be held on Sunday, November 9th, at 1 p.m. at the Stephens Family YMCA. Anyone can participate. We would love to see the community come out and run, walk or skip the 5k!
Registration will open on July 22nd. You can register here.
How can parents and/or guardians enroll their 3rd – 5th grade daughters in GOTR? Who is eligible?
Mary: For our fall season we will have five locations. To sign-up for the school locations, the girl must be a student at that school. YMCA teams are open to anyone.
Barkstall Elementary
Dates: August 18 until week of November 10th
Mondays & Wednesdays from 3-4:30 p.m.
Booker T. Washington STEM Academy
Dates: September 8th until week of Nov 10th
Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:15-4:45 p.m.
Carrie Busey Elementary
Dates: September 8th until week of Nov 10th
Mondays & Wednesdays from 2:15-3:45 p.m.
Thomas Paine Elementary
Dates: September 8th until week of Nov 10th
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3- 4:30 p.m.
Stephens Family YMCA (Two teams)
Mondays & Wednesdays from 4-5:30 p.m.
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4-5:30 p.m.
Registration opens on July 22nd at 8 a.m. on a first come, first serve basis. You can register online, or you can come into the YMCA and fill out a paper registration. Our goal is to be able to provide the program to everyone. The cost of the program is based on your eligibility for free and reduced lunch.
Not eligible- $125
Reduced lunch-$75
Free lunch- $25
How can community members get involved with the program?
Mary: There are many volunteer opportunities. Some of the positions are advisory board members, coaches, assistant coaches, 5k committee members, 5k volunteers, special events and fundraising. Individuals can go here to learn more about getting involved
.
What else would you like us to know about GOTR?
Mary: There are 3 things that you need to know about GOTR.
1. GOTR is about way more than running! It is about changing girls’ lives! You don’t have to be a runner or even like to run to have fun with GOTR.
2. We are also having our first annual Girls on the Run Bowling Bash on August 8, sponsored by Dimond Bros. It should be a really fun adult night out. For more information, check out our website.
3. GOTR of Champaign County would not be here at the point we are without the support and partnership with The Stephens Family YMCA!
Beth Peralta has lived in Champaign-Urbana since 1998, minus a few summers and nine months in grad school. She is a mother to Natalie, wife to Andrew, a registered dietitian nutritionist, and an active community volunteer with the Junior League of Champaign-Urbana. Free time is spent getting back into running after baby, trying new recipes, and checking out things to do in CU with her family.