Girls on the Run Long Island Now Running in Westhampton

After establishing a Nassau County presence in 2011, Girls on the Run Long Island is expanding to Suffolk this spring season. A Westhampton team will serve girls in grades 3-5. Registration is now open at http://gotrlongisland.org/spring2016/.

“Girls on the Run is a safe place, outside of school hours, for girls to make that important mind-body connection,” says Leslie Turis, the council’s executive director. “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 – girls in grades 3-5 – 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. Completing a 5k gives the girls a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals,” says Turis. The next 5K will take place on June 11 at Hofstra University. Community members are invited to run with the girls.

To register your girl or for more information, please contact Leslie Turis at 718-736-4573 or leslie.turis@girlsontherun.org.