'Girls On The Run' Are Ready To Go

Several different groups of local girls are running for their lives, literally, and in a positive way. They are local members of Girls on the Run of St. Louis, a nonprofit, prevention program for female students in third through eighth grades. The program was established 10 years ago to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running.

Laurie Luck, the head coach for the Girls On Track (GOT) at , has been involved in this program for three years. She started it at in Wildwood in the fall of 2009.

As reported in Eureka-Wildwood Patch, some GOT members branched out to improve their running stamina, such as

Luck has two daughters, and works part-time as a nurse anesthetist at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. This is her second year coaching the GOT program at the middle school. She said the assistant GOT coaches—Gale Braswell, Kelly Kerr and Laura Finck—make the endeavor at Wildwood Middle a fantastic program.   

In general, a 20-lesson Girls on the Run curriculum combines training for a 5K (3.1 miles) running event with lessons that inspire girls to become independent thinkers, enhance their problem-solving skills and encourage them to make healthy decisions. 

This year's GOT program at Wildwood Middle started Feb. 21, and will end May 15 at a final celebration. The annual 5K run will be May 12 in downtown St. Louis. Luck said the annual event is a wonderful experience for all.

"This year, we have 14 girls, up from nine last year. We are off to a good start," said Luck. "I have witnessed how much this program is needed at this age level. Helping these girls embrace the changes of middle school and survive their trials and tribulations by providing tools to help them work through the issues has been very rewarding."

The run/walk portion of the program provides the girls with a healthy outlet after school and the lessons provide them with active ways to deal with bullying, conflicts, nutrition decisions, and develop self-confidence, Luck said.

"Through this 10-week program, I see them developing into bright and confident young women," she said.

The GOT team has a community service project in on April 28, starting at 8:30 a.m. They will be picking up trash along their adopted section of Missouri Route 100/Manchester Road. Perhaps you have driven by their sign in Wildwood and wondered what the designated group was about.

"I am very proud of these girls, and the commitment they made to themselves and others," said Luck.

Another local group of Girls on the Run at in Eureka will host a 5K run/walk, also on April 28, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is their second annual event.

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The Geggie Elementary course will start and end at the school. Participants will run through the Legends and Shaws Garden subdivision, as well as .

Free T-shirts will be given to the first 200 entries. The top three participants in each age group (Male/ Female) will receive medals. Registration for those 14 and under is $15; adult are $20. Walk-up entries are welcome the day of the event.

Organizers are seeking adult volunteers for this event; all interested can contact Pat Grimshaw at 636-733-3200.

Girls on the Run of St. Louis is an independent council of Girls on the Run International, which has a network of 170-plus locations across the United States and Canada.