Girls on the Run Forms Lynbrook Team

LYNBROOK, NY - Girls on the Run Long Island, a non-profit started to "inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident," recently announced they will be forming a Lynbrook team.

The organization, originally based in New York City, established a Nassau County presence in 2011 before forming the Lynbrook team last month.

Two Lynbrook residents will be serving on the board: Meredith Celentano as board president, and Ellen Copeman who will coach the team of area girls in grades 3 through 5.

“Girls on the Run is a safe place, outside of school hours, for girls to make that important mind-body connection,” Leslie Turis, the council’s executive director, said. “They gain a greater understanding of who they are, make new friends, and learn life skills while getting physical activity.”

Led by volunteer coaches, Girls on the Run program participants meet twice a week over ten weeks for fun, engaging lessons and conversation-based running games.

Over the course of the program, girls develop and improve competence, confidence, and connections with their peers while training for a 5K event that concludes the season.

“We use running to teach confidence, connection, and other qualities. We like running because of its simplicity, we can do it as group, and achieve a goal within the time we have," Turis said. "Completing a 5k gives the girls a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals."

The next 5K is scheduled for June 11 at Hofstra University. Community members are invited to run with the girls.

To volunteer, donate or bring the Girls on the Run program to your community, contact Leslie Turis at 718-736-4573 or leslie.turis@girlsontherun.org.

Registration is now open at http://gotrlongisland.org/spring2016/.

Photo: Facebook.com/Girls On The Run Long Island