Five Stark County Men Race to be the GOTR SoleMale

Each year Girls on the Run of Stark County receives several requests for men to run the women-only Girls on the Run 5k Run/Walk. In celebration of their 5th year in Stark County, the advisory board decided to make that possible. Just one man would be allowed to run the Girls on the Run 5k. Steve Marrero of Massillon and his daughter, a first-year GOTR participant, won through an online auction with a high bid of $1800.

To make this opportunity available to more “GOTR guys”, Girls on the Run has changed the event from an auction to a competitive fundraising event through an online fundraiser in which contenders can raise funds from multiple sources to support his attempt to earn the title of SoleMale. In addition to the grand tier of the title SoleMale and opportunity to run in the 5k, leveled reward tiers are awarded to all participants based on the amount raised.

Registration for the SoleMale fundraiser closed on March 20th. This year, five men from Stark County are competing for the role:

Chris Henson, a Jackson Township GOTR dad, currently leads the pack with over $2,000 in donations.

Joseph Bogdan, an East Canton teacher and GOTR dad, has raised nearly $800 for GOTR Stark so far.

Kevin Walsh, a Jackson High School teacher and coach and GOTR dad, has raised nearly $700 for GOTR Stark.

Eric Whittington, a Canal Fulton resident, GOTR coach, and co-owner of Brimstone Bicycles, has raised over $300.

Scott Smith, a Plain Township GOTR dad, is also in the running to be the next SoleMale.

The current SoleMale contenders will continue to raise money through April 11th. The contender with the highest funds raised will be named the SoleMale (the sidekick to the SuperGirl or SuperGirl Squad of his choosing) at a special event at Second Sole in Canton. Donors and GOTR fans can watch the race for the SoleMale unfold online at http://bit.ly/SoleMaleCheckIn.

This will be GOTR Stark’s second annual SoleMale event and funds from the SoleMale fundraiser will go toward the 2016 programming costs.

The Girls on the Run 5k Run/Walk will take place on May 30, 2015 at 8:00 am at Walsh University. Due to the number of projected participants, the 5k will have 2 waves, with the SuperGirl (or SuperGirl Squad) and the SoleMale leading the 2nd wave.

About Girls on the Run of Stark County

Girls on the Run of Stark County (GOTR Stark) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit offering physical activity based positive youth development (PA-PYD) programs that inspire girls in 3rd through 5th grade (Girls on the Run) and 6th through 8th grade (Girls on Track) to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running.

Led by trained coaches who guide and mentor the girls through a curriculum-based program, the girls are empowered with greater self-awareness, a sense of achievement, and a foundation in team building to help them become strong, self-confident young women. Over the course of the 10-week program, the girls train together to walk, skip, or run the Girls on the Run 5k Run/Walk.

Established in 2009, GOTR Stark began its positive youth development program with 24 third- through fifth-grade girls at 3 schools. In 2014, GOTR Stark served over 600 girls through more than 40 programs offered throughout Stark County, Ohio. GOTR Stark is an Independent Council of Girls on the Run International, which has a network of over 200 locations across the United States and Canada.

For more information on Girls on the Run of Stark County, visit www.gotrstarkcty.org or call 330.244.9331.