More than a thousand expected at Grand Valley-hosted 'Girls on the Run' 5k

Nearly 1,500 girls and their families will attend the “Girls on the Run” annual 5k event May 17 at Grand Valley State University.

Girls on the Run of Ottawa and Allegan Counties is an organization that educates and prepares girls in third through eighth grades to be healthy and confident through a curriculum that integrates running. The 5k will celebrate the end of the 10-week spring program. About 300 volunteers who coached the girls in the program will also participate in the 5k run and walk.

Girls on the Run 5k
May 17
6-8:30 p.m.
Fieldhouse, GVSU Allendale Campus

A pep rally will take place at 6 p.m.; the race around campus will start at 6:30 p.m., and a dance party celebration at 8 p.m. will conclude the event.

More than 70 schools participated this year in the program, which has been in Ottawa and Allegan counties for more than 10 years. Some of the early participants are now coaches or volunteers at the 5k.  

The 5k is open to the public; registration is online at www.gotroac.org.

For more information, contact Angela Morrison from the Center for Women in Transition at (616) 494-1719 or Jo Ann Wassenaar from Grand Valley’s Women’s Center at (616) 331-2748.