Girls on the Run ends season at annual Turkey Trot

Special to The SUN

Photo courtesy Mara Koch
Members of Girls on the Run celebrate their efforts in the two-mile Turkey Trot run. From left are Stefani Echavarria, Rosa Echavarria, Peyton Burns, Alondra Hernandez, Annabelle Bowles, Brighid Parken, Graysen Castro, River Pitcher, Kaia Jones, Gracie Horras, Coach Allison Kain and Buddy, and Brayla Garcia.

Twelve girls and six coaches from Girls on the Run (GOTR) participated in the Turkey Trot two-mile run Thanksgiving morning.

The run — a fund-raiser for the Pagosa Lakes Porpoises swim team and Pagosa Springs High School cross country team — brought the 2013 GOTR season to a close. All of the participants were recognized with medals for their efforts.

GOTR is a national youth program whose mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

Archuleta County Victim Assistance Program (ACVAP) sponsors and coordinates GOTR as part of their youth violence prevention programming. GOTR curriculum includes topics such as peer pressure, body image, bullying, emotional health and stress management. Lessons integrate learning about making healthy and positive choices with becoming stronger and more physically fit through running. Participants train for a 5K race during the season.

This is the third year that GOTR has been offered locally. Pagosa Springs had two teams this season — one for third and fourth grade girls, and one for fifth and sixth grade girls. Both teams were represented in the Turkey Trot and many of the runners also participated in the official GOTR 5K Race in Telluride on Nov. 9.

GOTR will continue in September 2014, and registration will begin with the first week of school.

ACVAP needs coaches for next season. Call 264-9075, if you are interested in making a difference in the lives of girls in our community through this empowering program.