Young girls will have the opportunity to build positive relationships with each other and see the benefits of exercising through the Mid-Prairie Girls on the Run program.

This is the first year that Mid-Prairie West Elementary is offering this program for third and fourth grade girls. Over a 10-week period girls will explore and discuss life experiences and the challenges they face. They will learn new strategies to combat those challenges and build their confidence while weaving physical activity throughout.

Counselor Leanne Bender is one of the coaches, “We think that it will reach out to girls who may not be runners but just have an interest in being with other girls to have a positive experience. It may increase friendships, hopefully we’ll build positive self esteem and get girls excited about how good it feels to be exercising, so that they’ll want to continue that in some way shape or form whether that’s running or something else.”

Registration for Girls on the Run is open until February 14, and the group will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5:30 p.m. beginning February 20. The session will culminate in a 5K May 5 in Cedar Rapids. More information on how to register can be found here.