story & photos
by Josie Kapral
Lace up your running shoes! “Girls on The Run” (GOTR) has a new council here in Southeastern Connecticut! The non-profit 501©3 organization started in 1996 in Charlotte, NC and has grown to hosting over 200 chapters in North America today! The Southeastern Connecticut chapter, started in March 2014, has grown significantly since its beginning earlier this year. They began with one site and one team of 15 girls and have expanded to having three sites serving New London, Middlesex, and Windham counties.
“We have different activities. It is a curriculum based program. We hold 10 week sessions and meet twice a week,” said Executive Director, Sarah Lafayette.
When asked how and why she was inspired to start the program here in Connecticut, Lafayette replied, “As I’ve spent more and more time with the program and worked through the extensive process it took me to bring it to CT, I realized a lot of what I was doing was inspired by my own experiences as a young girl. I was shy and introverted and saw these qualities as negative which was how I began to define myself. This negative self-image stuck with me into adulthood, keeping me from doing many things. I found running in my early 30s and it gave me a healthy space to escape these self-imposed limitations.
I want girls to know they have a voice and that they have the ability to create a positive and joyful world for themselves and everyone they encounter. Girls on the Run empowers them to believe in themselves and all they are capable of and that the only limits in life are the ones we place on ourselves.”
Participants come from all backgrounds and all skill levels, but the ultimate goal as that each girl will learn life skills through their curriculum and ultimately complete a 5k run at the end of each session. They are taught to encourage and support each other along the way.
The most recent event was held at Bluff Point State Park in Groton on October 25th. The 3.5 mile “Trick or Trot” run was for all ages and experience levels. A shorter run was held for the youngest participants. Over 70 people participated that day. Three of the GOTR girls did the whole 3.5 mile run! The goal of the run was to raise awareness of the organization and raise money for the non-profit as well as to promote staying healthy and active. Several children and adults came out to support GOTR. Some attended the event dressed in costume. All were eager to participate.
Upon check-in, the children decorated their bibs and prepared to head toward the starting line. For nine year-old Etta Lund, this was her first race.
“I am pretty excited about it. This is going to be so fun! I am not nervous at all!” Lund said as she and veteran GOTR participants, Lilly, Elke, and Martha Bellet of Mystic waited for the run to begin.
Ten year old Avery Dolphin, and her mother, Lara, came from Gales Ferry and were also participating together. “Avery heard about GOTR from her teacher at school. It’s been great for her. She loves the activities they plan and has been attending the runs since we heard about it,” said Lara.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a participant or volunteering as a coach or running buddy with GOTR, please check out their website www.gotrsect.org or contact GOTR at their North Stonington location at 860.235.3441. GOTR will also be hosting a Turkey Trot and Dip on November 27th in Mystic for those of you interested in supporting their cause.
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