Girls on the Run and Let Me Run offer unique health and learning opportunities to students in the Washington School District.

Girls on the Run began in 2017 with Janet Conrad taking the helm. Let Me Run began with regional coordinator Hailee Sandberg speaking with Lincoln Elementary Principal Teresa Beenblossom about beginning a boys program in the district, with Carrie Rich taking the lead. Conrad and Rich talked with KCII news about the goals of the program. “The word run is definitely in there but that is a small piece of the entire program. Girls on the Run is dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential. It’s a 10-week program, where girls in third through fifth grade have a curriculum that teaches them critical life skills and strategies as well as using physical movement and running to help them stay active and teach them that they are able to do something they may not have done before. Let Me Run is similar to Girls on the Run, we’re offering fourth through sixth grade this fall. It’s a non-profit health program that’s a seven week program that meets twice each week. We will go through running technique and building our stamina physically, but we’re also going to do curriculum that’s going to enhance their ability to focus on teamwork.”

After completion of the course all participants will compete in a 5k race and take part in a celebration event. If you would like to find out more information about these programs visit girlsontheruniowa.org and searching for the Washington location, or visit letmerun.org and search for the Washington location. You can also find out more information by listening to the Washington Page with Rich and Conrad on KCII.