Practice have happened at Western Mass. schools in preparation for the Girls on the Run Western Mass. annual Fall Season Celebratory 5K on Sunday, Nov. 23, at Western New England University.
Photo credit: Girls on the Run Western Mass.
SPRINGFIELD — With another fall season coming to a close, Girls on the Run Western Mass. will once again host its Fall Season Celebratory 5K on Nov. 23 at Western New England University.
Girls on the Run Western Mass. celebrated its 10-year anniversary in the spring of this year, marking a decade of empowerment, growth and positive impact in Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin counties.
Since its establishment in 2015, the program has impacted the lives of over 12,650 girls in over 85 schools and community sites.
Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based and youth development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in grades 3-8. During the 10-week program, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections and encourage community service while they prepare for an end-of-season celebratory 5K.
The 5K, both in the spring and fall, is the annual culminating event for the season programs and the highlight of the Girls on the Run season. The 5K is not just focused on the race, but the celebration of the girls’ teamwork, personal growth and culmination of months of running and skill development.
Early bird registration is $25 and can be found at girlsontherunwesternma.org/5k. Day of registration will be $30. The 5K will begin at 10:30 a.m. but the program and group warm up will begin at 10 a.m. Participants are encouraged to arrive early to participate in activities that start at 9:30 a.m.
Participants of all abilities are welcome and encouraged, fostering a sense of inclusion and accomplishment for everyone involved.
Girls on the Run Western Mass. Development and Outreach Manager Lisa Queenin told Reminder Publishing they have 770 girls at 52 schools across the region this fall, a smaller turnout than the typical spring season. Despite this, Queenin shared that excitement for the program is still palpable.
“The girls have been doing practice 5Ks over the last couple weeks,” said Queenin. “That’s a cool opportunity for each school to hold their own mini 5K and it gives them an opportunity — and that looks differently at every school — but it’s a fun opportunity for them to come together as a team.”
The program also connects girls with their teachers in different settings and the community as a whole. Queenin noted that when girls stay with the program year in and out, they grow so much individually, because they receive a sense of ownership and learn healthy and active habits. She added that the program serves as a lot of childrens’ first entry point to a team activity structured outside of the classroom.
Queenin shared that as part of the program, the girls are tasked with a community impact project.
“It’s something that they have to complete during practice time, it can’t be too involved. But it’s some gesture, some little step toward creating intense positive impact in their community, which is great,” Queenin explained. “Some girls do a project right at their schools, some work with a local civic organization or do something for a local fire department or police. It’s meant to be a bite size opportunity for them to understand the concept of positively giving back to your community and being part of that. So, they’re moving into that now, and then pretty soon, it’ll wrap up with the 5K, and I think everyone is looking forward to it”
Girls on the Run is more than just movement-based lessons; there’s also a focus on emotional wellbeing. Of the coaches involved in Girls on the Run Western Mass. three quarters are teachers from the schools involved with the program.
Queenin said they are still looking for volunteers for the upcoming event, and those interested can fill out a 5K volunteer form at www.girlsontherunwesternma.org/5k.
“The 5K is a nice opportunity to come volunteer and see it come together. Its very uplifting and a real meaningful day so it feels like a nice way for people to come and volunteer their time at the 5K,” said Queenin. She added those looking to volunteer should fill out a form by Nov. 16 the latest.
For the last several years, 65% of all participants required financial aid in order to participate in Girls on the Run. In 2024, $145,000 was awarded in program scholarships. The Western Mass. group has pledged to continue serving every girl that wants to participate in the program.
When reflecting on another season nearing its end, Queenin said the events continue to be great fun and inspiring for all.
“It’s really unlike any other 5K that I’ve been too because it does involve children and a whole lot of them, and their families. Being at the finish line, you see the pride in the girls when they finish, and you see the pride among their family members,” said Queenin. “It’s just pure joy when they cross the finish line and pride in themselves that they set this goal for themselves, they worked all season long at building their endurance and figuring out moving at a physical pace that feels good for them.”
Queenin said the program stresses the non-competitive nature of Girls on the Run and that everyone moves at a different pace. The idea is to keep moving forward regardless and finding what works for the individual.
“It’s just this really great culminating event for them to see their achievement after putting in a lot of effort and a lot of work to feel physically ready to run the 5K and just to feel more confident and positive about themselves,” Queenin said. “I think the 5K is both real and tangible, and also symbolic, I think, of setting your mind to do something and doing it, and how it feels after to finish it.”
