Spring-Ford Fab-14 hit the track in Girls on the Run 5K

In a world filled with fast food, and even faster technology, millions of pre teens and teenagers are at risk every year.

Our youth, that all to frequently for go pursuing outdoor activities, giving in to distractions like Facebook and Twitter, are under attack from invisible enemies such as diabetes, obesity, low self-esteem and depression to name a few, that are viscous predators that stalk our children every day.

On Saturday, at team of 15 Spring-Ford are students and their partners participated in the first annual Girls on the Run 5K held at Wissahickon High School.

Girls on the Run is a life-changing, experiential learning programs for girls age eight to thirteen years old. The programs combine training for a 3.1 mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts.

The goals of the programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development for young women to enhance their lives.

“The run was a big deal,” said coach Allison Hughes, who teaches 5^th grade at Spring-Ford 5-6 center. “it was the other cirriculum that really got my attention and made it something I wanted to get involved with.”

Megan Ames, who also coaches softball at Phoenixville youth softball along with fellow Spring-Ford teacher Stephanie Hahn who teach 6^th grade, assisted Hughes in putting together a group of girls that have dedicated them selves to getting ready for the run and for life.

 “I do a lot of volunteering,” said Ames. “When I heard about this, I jumped at the chance to spend more time with the kids and have really enjoyed helping them prepare for today. It was funny as we went along with the other parts of the program, I would occasionally get an email or phone call about the running part of.”

At one point, the Spring-Ford contingent, which was limited to one team as it was the first year of participation, actually had a waiting list of girls and partners that wanted to be involved.

More than 600 runners in all, including 300 girls, took part on Saturday in an event that was like a carnival of life, with all of the sponsors and information provided for young women to make healthy life choices.

Schwenksville’s Paige Curcio, finished in the front of the pack for the Spring-Ford girls finishing with a time of 25:20, running with her father Eric and being cheered on by mother Kim.

“I feel great,” said Paige Curcio. “I was really getting tired, when there is about a half of a mile left it is really hard. The when you see all the people cheering and see the finish line it really helped me get through.”

“I am so proud of her ad all of the girls,” added father Eric Curcio. “To see how far she has come from where she started is so impressive, the program has been a very good experience for her.”

People who travel through the back streets of Royersford  have probably passed the duo of Julia Sutterfield and Claudia Dampf, as the  youngster have trained for Saturday’s event at school and running through Royersford neighborhoods.

“We asked about a running program and have had so much fun doing this with our friends,” said Dampf and Sutterfield. “This is our first race like this, but we already can’t wait until next year.”

Girls on the Run International has now partnered corporate sponsors like New Balance, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Secret deodorant, Horizon Fitness, Goody Products, and Carolina Pad.  Their national sponsors provide vital support to advance the mission of the organization. Grants, individual donations and fees also aide Girls on the Run in putting on events nationwide.

The Run is the culmination of a year long program which includes three 24-lesson curriculums that teach life skills through group processing, running games and workouts.

The three-part curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches and includes understanding themselves, valuing teamwork and understanding how they connect with and shape the world at large.

“This is such a great day for our girls,” said Assistant Principal Mary Pat Long. “These three ladies were so enthusiastic and really perfect for the program. We had so many people want to be involved, next year we hope to have more teams.”

Some of the objectives of Girls on the Run is to educate and empower girls at an early age in order to prevent the display of at-risk activities in the future such as include substance/alcohol use, eating disorders, early onset of sexual activity, sedentary lifestyle, depression, suicide attempts and confrontations with the juvenile justice system. 

“Mary Pat is the one who brought this to us,” said Steph Hahn. “We are definitely are going to build on this, working with the girls is the highlight of my day. I am so fortunate to be involved with such great people. We practiced every Monday and Thursday and I looked forward to every minute of it.”

Combining an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen girls is one of the most positive results of the efforts of Girls on The Run.

Their core curriculum addresses many aspects of girls’ development - their physical, emotional, mental and social well-being.

The lessons provide girls with the tools to make positive decisions and to avoid risky adolescent behaviors.

“Wow, we had such a great day,” said Girls on the Run Executive Director Tracy Ashdale. “This is the first year we have had this event open to the public and the reception was fantastic. We have more than 600 runners and our sponsors have been phenomenal. I have three daughters and this run is so close to my heart along with our complete program. We already have 15 new schools that want to enter next year.”

 Recieving medals for the completion of the race for Spring-Ford were the following young ladies

Julia Forcey, Macy Turner, Mara Colarossi, Paige Curcio, Alyssa Palmucci, Maya Pergine, Landyn Esham, Isabella Sgarra, Athena Berlingeri, Kira Kreps, Julia Sutterfield, Julia Callos, Lauren Stenson and Claudia Dampf.

For more information click at www.gotrpa.org