Rochester's Girls on the Run to compete in Concord 5k later this month

A group of New Hampshire Girls on the Run show off their first-place finish awards after a recent 5k. (Courtesy photo/Cindy St. Jean)

CONCORD - A group of Rochester girls will be on the run later this month when the outreach group Girls on the Run hosts its end-of-season fall 5k Nov. 17 at Memorial Field in Concord.

This fall's event will include 800 girls and 200 coaches representing 58 teams from across the state of New Hampshire, among them third- through fifth-grade girls from the School Street School in the Lilac City. Additionally, almost 1,000 family and community members will join in the 5K celebration!

The New Hampshire community is invited to run, walk or volunteer for the event. Some 150 volunteers are needed to ensure a safe celebration for all of the girls. Visit https://www.girlsontherunnh.org/5K-Detail for all of the details.

The 5k is a noncompetitive event that concludes the 10-week program, with all participants either walking or running the 3.1 mile course. This event gives the program girls a tangible sense of accomplishment as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals.

Girls on the Run is a physical-activity based, positive youth development program that prepares 3rd to 8th grade girls for a 5k event along with helping them develop key life skills. The program takes place in all 50 states and has inspired over a million girls to recognize their limitless potential in the past 21 years.

Volunteer coach-led teams meet twice a week throughout the season and participate in lessons that prepare the girls for a 5k event, foster the girls' confidence, help them build connections with their peers and encourage meaningful contribution to their community through a service project.

The true success of the program, however, is not told in the numbers, but rather in the words of the girls who participate: "Girls on the Run made me realize that I am the boss of my brain." "I know that whatever I set my mind to do, I can do." "At Girls on the Run I learned how to be comfortable in my own skin!"

Girls on the Run hosts the largest 5k series in the United States by number of events with 359 events across the country last year. To preregister visit www.girlsontherunnh.org. Prices do go up on the day of the celebration. The cost for day-of registration is $30. Ages 8 and under are $15. All alumni of the program are $20.

Proceeds go toward the financial aid fund, giving equitable access for all girls to have the opportunity to participate in Girls on the Run.

The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Memorial Field, 70 South Fruit Street, Concord. An early arrival time of 9:15 a.m. is suggested to participate in the pre-5k celebration festivities. For more information about the event, how to register and volunteer opportunities, visit https://www.girlsontherunnh.org/5K-Detail