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Shown are local participants and coaches of Girls on the Run. Front row: McKayla McQuate, Serena Waters, Emma Gootee, Megan Fitzsimmons, Abby Short, Alli Nashstanding, Darci Swain. Back row: Coach Patty Lovejoy, Forrest Barker and Coach Donna Blanchard. Courtesy photo

Girls on the Run By Kate Dube features@seacoastonline.com “These girls are at such a fun age,” says Patty Lovejoy on a sunny Monday afternoon, watching the nine third- and fourth-grade girls as they make a wide lap of the fields at Stratham Memorial School. “They’re so open, and they’re supportive of each other.” With Lovejoy as a coach, these girls are members of Girls on the Run (GOTR), an interactive life skills and running program designed to increase physical activity and emotional health as well as reduce the display of at-risk behaviors among participants age 8-11. With childhood obesity on the rise — 15 percent (almost 9 million) of children are overweight, according to the 1999-2000 data from the Centers for Disease Control — and the increasing pressures that affect girls at younger and younger ages, Girls on the Run is designed to give girls tools to help them stay healthy and happy. The national nonprofit organization Girls on the Run was started in 1996. The N.H. chapter, begun in 2001, is based in Newfields and has programs in Durham, Lee, Dover, Portsmouth, Rochester, Stratham and Newmarket. More than 400 girls have participated since the program began. GOTR is structured as a 10-week program that meets two times a week for an hour and a half. The volunteer coaches teach life skills through non-competitive running games and workouts, and they stress self-esteem and community. The program topics range from nutrition and health to assertiveness and body image. Academic evaluation of the program shows a significant improvement in participants’ body image, eating attitudes and self-esteem. According to the national organization, anecdotal evidence also indicates positive changes in participants’ sense of identity and lifestyle. At Stratham, Lovejoy’s co-coach Donna Blanchard, a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire, says, “There are so many good message we’re teaching them. And they’ve become so supportive of each other. It is awesome to get to see that.” In addition to teaching GOTR’s curriculum, the coaches are role models for the girls. Blanchard sees a couple of girls fall behind on their warm-up run. She calls out, “Keep running, girls” and then jogs over to finish the warm-up with them. Along with the daily lessons, every team of girls designs and implements a community service project. The Stratham girls have just finished collecting pet food and toys for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Previous projects have included planting flowers and washing every blackboard in the elementary school. The final goal for every GOTR team is to complete a community 5K (3.1 mile) event. This is an important part of the program. Lovejoy says, “They have a goal, and they learn that if you work for something, you’ll do it. At the beginning, some of the girls couldn’t even finish a lap. But each week they’re doing more and more.” Amy Waters, whose daughter Serena is a Girl on the Run, says of the 5K, “The coaches help them see that each girl can accomplish a goal in her own way.” Debbie McQuate, whose two daughters have participated in Girls on the Run, adds, “Whether they run or walk, they still cheer each other on and they still feel great.” This session, the 5K runs are in North Hampton’s Old Home 5K on Saturday, June 19 and Newfield’s 5K on Saturday, June 26. The Stratham girls will be wearing their GOTR T-shirts, black or blue shorts and two braids in their hair. Family members are encouraged to attend the 5Ks and to make signs to show their support. Throughout the program, GOTR parents are appreciative. “It is a more modernized program for girls this age,” says McQuate. “It shows each girl what she can accomplish, and it shows what they can accomplish when they work together. I can’t say enough good things about it.” GOTR’s reputation in New Hampshire continues to grow. Many of the girls have heard about GOTR through their schools and, increasingly, older siblings. Because of the program’s success, GOTR has expanded to the Girls on Track Program for girls ages 12-14 years and their families. Like most nonprofit organizations, Girls on the Run is always looking for volunteers; in this case, as coaches and board members. Many GOTR volunteers, like Patty Lovejoy and Donna Blanchard, don’t have daughters in the program. Lovejoy says, “It’s a great volunteer opportunity because it has a set time commitment that isn’t huge. And they are so fun. I’ve really enjoyed working with these girls.” The girls are a mix of body types and personalities. At first glance, the one thing they have in common is they are all wearing sneakers. But they are a team. Following their warm-up run, the Stratham GOTR girls discussed their community service project and their upcoming 5K. They sat in a circle with each girl saying something nice – “you’re a good friend” and “you’re fun and hyper” and “you’re fun to run with” – about the girl beside her. They played a few running games. They spent the afternoon outside, laughing and learning the lessons of Girls on the Run. “I like running,” says third-grader Forrest Barker, age 9. “I like all the projects we do about community and self-respect. I heard about this in first grade, but I had to wait until third to do it.” Seacoast Online posts the top Stories from Seacoast Newspapers everyday. For even more news pick up a copy at your local newsstand, or subscribe today!

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