Girls on the Run

Jadyn Lucey runs away from her Girls on the Run teammates on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 24, 2012. GOTR is a non-profit program that encourages girls to build self-respect and healthy lifestyles through exercise and teamwork. Jadyn is the daughter of Lt. Col. Craig Lucey, 4th Training Squadron commander, and hails from Anchorage, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run teammates smile and hug before a physical training session on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 24, 2012. The girls have been training for more than two months and will participate in a 5k-run celebrating the end of their training on April 27. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run teammates admire a string of hair ties before a physical training session on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 24, 2012. Since the start of their training session, a hair tie was added to the string for every mile the girls ran. Collectively, the girls have run more than 200 miles in approximately two months. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

Girls on the Run

Carson Feuquay high-fives her Girls on the Run teammates during a physical training session on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 24, 2012. The girls encourage each other with high-fives and kind words while running. Carson is the daughter of Tech. Sgt. Christopher Feuquay, 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron munitions systems specialist, and hails from Goldsboro, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

Girls on the Run

Published April 27, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The Girls on the Run program will be hosting a 5k-run in celebration of their final week of training here, April 27.

Inspiration for GOTR grew after Molly Barker, GOTR founder, questioned her self-worth and decided to find a way to help young girls with similar circumstances. The program's mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum, which creatively integrates running.

In 1996, Barker conducted the first version of a 12-week, 24-lesson curriculum with 13 girls in Charlotte, N.C. Throughout the years the volunteer-led program has evolved into an international movement and is offered in more than 173 cities across North America.

"I was first exposed to the GOTR program as a Girl Scout leader in Virginia; a few of the scouts were a part of a team," said Lisa Grant, GOTR volunteer coach and spouse of Lt. Col. Carl Grant, 4th Mission Support Group deputy commander. "When my family arrived in North Carolina, we really wanted to get involved and looked around but there wasn't a program locally, so we made a lot of phone calls to the chapter in Wilmington. Since there were several people requesting a team, they agreed that we needed one."

Having a similar goal in mind along with assistance from the Goldsboro YMCA, Grant organized a group of eight girls who were the first in Wayne County to participate in the program. Twice a week for approximately two months the group collectively has run more than 200 miles.

Girls on the Run is now comprised of three 24-lesson curriculums that teach life skills through teamwork and running games taught by certified GOTR coaches. According to the 2011 Journal of Physical Activity and Health's academic evaluation, the program has shown a significant improvement in body image, eating attitudes and self-esteem.

"GOTR has given my daughter the confidence to know that she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to," said Jennifer Faust, mother of GOTR participant and spouse of Tech. Sgt. Garrett Faust, 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron crash damaged or disabled aircraft recovery program manager. "Jillian has learned and matured so much from this experience and we plan to continue to participate."

Not only are parents pleased with the program but their daughters are as well. They are able to recognize change within themselves.

"I feel good about myself and feel like I can do more," said Carson Feuquay, GOTR participant and daughter of Tech. Sgt. Christopher Feuquay, 4th EMS munitions systems specialist. "I wasn't good at running before, but now I'm a lot better and the program has made me a better person overall. I want to continue to participate in GOTR in order to stay healthy."

Due to the high rate of success, several Wayne County schools will participate in the program by developing their own groups.

For more information about participating in a GOTR program in your area, visit www.girlsontherun.org.