BRUNSWICK — More than 800 girls in third to eighth grade from all over Maine — including as far away as Madawaska — plan to come together next month for the Girls on the Run Maine Celebratory 5K.

The event is set for 10 a.m. Sunday, June 4, at the Brunswick Recreation Center, 220 Neptune Drive.

The 5K is the culmination of a 10-week youth development program currently offered by more than 300 trained volunteer coaches in over 50 schools and community centers across the state. It is available to elementary and middle school students who identify as female or non-binary.

The program is offered twice a year, in the fall and spring. Girls on the Run (GOTR) is designed to inspire kids of all abilities to recognize and embrace their inner strength and make meaningful connections with others. The program uses physical activity and dynamic discussions to build social, emotional and physical skills while encouraging healthy habits for life, according to a news release from Emily Clark, executive director of GOTR Maine.

GOTR Maine, a non-profit organization headquartered in Westbrook, is a non-profit in its 11th year.

The lasting impact the program has on students’ social-emotional development, relationships and overall health is backed by research, according to Clark: “We know that girls’ confidence drops twice as much as boys by adolescence. In fact, one study showed that the percentage of girls who described themselves as confident declined 26% during middle school.”

“Girls on the Run helps girls gain or maintain confidence,” Clark added. “When girls are confident they are more likely to excel academically, create healthy relationships, fight for gender equality, and have higher self-esteem, which leads to better mental health. Our recent brand study indicated that building confidence is the most important thing parents value in youth development.”

For more information, contact Clark at 207-747-5677 or [email protected].

Check out other upcoming area events!