Kenzie Hagood and Jayonah Scully
57 minutes ago
JONESBORO, Tenn. (WJHL) – Northeast Tennessee Girls on the Run hosted a Color Run 5K on Friday to celebrate the end of the season.
Girls on the Run is an eight-week program that teaches life skills to girls in grades 3-8 through fun running games and positive, dynamic discussions. Each season ends with her 5K event.
This season's color run included a wheelchair-accessible course, foam machines, and more. The 5K was open to the community and all proceeds went to Girls on the Run of Northeast Tennessee.
More than 1,000 participants attended this spring's Girls on the Run event.
Area schools had coaches to help them train for this 5K.
“So we meet twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is much more than just a running club,” said Shannon Barnett, girls coach at Eastside Elementary School in Elizabethton. “'Girls on the Run' is the best. They teach values like self-esteem, friendship, positive self-talk, and inclusion, which is exactly what today's girls are trying to achieve. This is a much needed lesson.”
Cambree Parmenter and Brooke Witten are part of Eastside's Girls on the Run program. They say they learned about friendship, positive self-talk, stopping and breathing, and encouragement.
“Small things can make a big difference and help our community,” Brooke Whitten said.
Parmenter encourages other girls to enroll in the program.
“I think I'm probably fine, too. You don't have to run all the time, you just need to maintain a pace that makes you happy,” Parmenter said. “And it’s not just about running, it’s about learning life lessons.”
Brittany Tipton teaches girls at Harold McCormick Elementary School. She said it is important to teach these life lessons to young girls and working together is important to build confidence.
“As we get older, women are often the worst defenders of other women,” says Tipton. “And I think this helps them understand that you can be friends with women and that you can give to other women what you can do for yourself. You might not be able to run the fastest. I can encourage other girls to do the same.”
It is important for Girls on the Run participants that the course is fully wheelchair accessible.
“We are an inclusive group and we want any girl who wants to get involved to join Girls in the Run,” said Angela, Girls on the Run Northeast Tennessee Council Director.・Mr. Huffine said. “We also want any family or community member to come along and have fun together and enjoy the event. So it's really important that we're inclusive.”
This was the first year the Girls on the Run event was held at the new Jonesborough Elementary School. His next 5K will be held in the fall. The location has not yet been announced.
All funds from this Girls on the Run event will be donated to a scholarship program for girls participating in the fall 5K.
For more information about Girls on the Run of Northeast Tennessee, visit their website.