Girls on the Run is a life-changing program for 8–13-year-old girls that promotes empowerment by teaching life skills through lessons, training, and running.
Girls on the Run began in 1996 in Charlotte, North Carolina and has been in Des Moines since 2008. The program teaches girls about self-confidence and building healthy relationships. The program manager, Christa Vanderleest, said: “The girls participating in our program learn how to stand for themselves and also how to navigate their adolescent years.”
Girls on the Run of Central Iowa wrapped up their fall 2021 season on November 7th with a beautiful end-of-season 5K celebration. 550 girls completed the 8-week program and over 1,000 people participated in the 5K run.
There are 550 more joyful, healthy, and confident girls in Central Iowa thanks to this local program.
