Springtime 5Ks - Run, walk for Girls on the Run SW Florida

Photos: The UnitedHealthcare Girls on the Run 5K races, April 21 and 28, are open to the public and help raise money for the Girls on the Run Southwest Florida after-school 5K training and life skills program, offered at 26 area elementary and middle schools.

This April, more than 300 third-eighth grade girls from 26 Charlotte and Collier county schools will “graduate” from their after-school 5K training and life skills programs as they line up to run and finish the UnitedHealthcare Girls on the Run of Southwest Florida spring 5K runs. Registration is open to the public, with the races expected to attract more than 600 total participants.

The annual spring races are part of the Girls on the Run of Southwest Florida 5K Race Series, with 5K races in April and December of each year, all of which serve as primary fundraising tools for the non-profit organization.

The inspiration

This transformational program has provided hundreds of elementary school girls with the opportunity to improve their self-esteem, confidence and gain valuable social and life skills. Roughly one-third of participants come from lower income and/or challenging home environments and through this after-school initiative, are provided with the opportunity to participate in a safe and interactive program that has proven to change girls’ lives for the better. Scholarships from UnitedHealthcare and other local supporters help many lower income schools and individual girls participate with the goal of inspiring girls to take charge of their lives and define the future on their terms.

Charlotte County Race Details

Date

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Location

Charlotte High School

1250 Cooper Street

Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Times

7:45 a.m. – Kids Sprint Start

8:00 a.m. - 5K Start

Cost

General: $25 | Day of: $35 | Students (18 & under): $10 (includes shirt, medal, swag and JOY!!)

Kids Sprint: $5

Collier County Race Details

Date

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Location

Sugden Regional Park

4284 Avalon Dr,

Naples, FL 34112

Times

7:45 a.m. – Kids Sprint Start

8:00 a.m. - 5K Start

Cost

General: $25 | Day of: $35 | Students (18 & under): $10 (includes shirt, medal, swag and JOY!!)

Kids Sprint: $5

Registration and Information

www.gotrswfl.org for information and on-line registration for both races.

About Girls on the Run Southwest Florida

Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity based positive youth development program for girls in the third through eighth grades. The girls are taught 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 running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. Girls on the Run of Southwest Florida is a subsidiary council of Girls on the Run International, which has a network of 200+ locations across the United States and Canada. For more information, visit http://www.gotrcc.org/.