Vermont Business Magazine - Girls on the Run Vermont (GOTRVT) announces its Central Vermont 5k Run/Walk, taking place at 10am on Saturday, May 28th at the Vermont State Fairgrounds in Rutland. This celebratory event, presented by Rutland Regional Medical Center, is the culmination of GOTRVT’s 10-week, after school empowerment program for 3rd to 8thgrade girls, and is open for the community to participate as a runner, walker, volunteer, or sideline supporter.
Now in its 17th year, Girls on the Run Vermont has impacted the lives of more than 40,000 girls; each year relying on 700+ volunteer coaches to help make this program possible for girls all across the state. Former GOTRVT coach and central Vermont native, Sophie Caldwell, will be this year’s honorary 5k guest speaker. In January, Sophie won the United States’ first World Cup 1.2k classic sprint at the Tour de Ski in Germany. Caldwell was also a part of the historic 4x5k relay team who scored a second place finish in FIS World Cup and was the best ever U.S. women’s relay finish.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Sophie return to our 5k as guest speaker,” said Nancy Heydinger, Executive Director of GOTRVT, “Watching her grow from a young Vermont girl with big dreams to a Girls on the Run Vermont coach, and now a confident woman and World Cup winner! She is a wonderful example of limitless potential and what can happen when you set a goal and work hard to achieve it - lessons that are prevalent in our Girls on the Run curriculum.”
This year, the Girls on the Run program -- along with the new Heart & Sole curriculum for 6th to 8th
grade girls -- will reach more than 3,000 girls at over 160 schools in the state. Proceeds from the 5k event benefit GOTRVT’s Every Girl Fund, helping to ensure that every girl in Vermont can participate in the program through subsidies to all participants and full scholarships to those girls who need them the most.
In addition to its hundreds of necessary volunteers, Girls on the Run Vermont as a non-profit, relies on its generous sponsors to help make their program possible throughout the state. Avid supporter and this year’s 5k Presenting Sponsor, Rutland Regional Medical Center, will also have several members of its staff leading the morning warm-up, hosting an activity booth, and providing general volunteer support during the day.
Along with Presenting Sponsor, Rutland Regional Medical Center, generous support for the Central 5k comes from Carris Reels, BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont, Alderman’s Chevrolet Buick GMS, VELCO, Westminster Cracker, WJJR , Kids VT, and Price Chopper.
Additional support for the Central 5k comes from Back on Track Physical Therapy, Green Mountain Car Rental, Green Mountain Power, Heritage Family Credit Union, JK Hamilton Builders, Killington/Pico Ski Resort, Southern Vermont Audiology, and Vermont Sports Medicine Center.
Early-bird registration for the Girls on the Run Vermont 5k Walk/Run is $10 for children and $20 for adults. Online registration is available at www.gotrvt.org/general-public-5k-registration, and ends at 11:59pm on May 26. Day-of registration will take place from 8:30-9:30am at the Vermont State Fairgrounds, with entry fees $10 for children and $25 for adults. All GOTRVT program participants and coaches are already registered for the 5k event.
Volunteers are needed to help at the start and finish lines, water stops, and along the course. Individuals, families and groups—school clubs, sports teams and others—can sign up in advance to volunteer.
For more information about the 5k, volunteering or Girls on the Run Vermont please visit www.GirlsOnTheRunVermont.org, call (802) 246-1476 or email [email protected]
About Girls on the Run Vermont:
Girls on the Run Vermont is an independent and 501(c (3) recognized council of Girls on the Run International (GOTRI), which has a network of over 200 councils across the United States. Since 1999, Girls on the Run Vermont has empowered over 38,000 Vermont girls grades 3-8 to develop physical, emotional and social well-being through a 10-week afterschool program held at over 160 sites statewide. Their mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a proven, experience-based curriculum that addresses developmentally appropriate life skills and which creatively integrates running, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Find out more at girlsontherunvermont.org
United States