On Sunday, approximately 150 Georgia Tech student-athletes provided support and encouragement at the Girls on the Run 5K presented by Piedmont Healthcare at Turner Field. The 5K is the culminating event of the program’s 12-week after-school program and celebrates health and wellness for girls.
“The Girls on the Run 5K would not come together without the help of hundreds of volunteers,” stated Lea Rolfes, Executive Director of Girls on the Run. “We are especially grateful for our partnership with Georgia Tech athletics. From running the practice 5ks with our girls during our season to providing a runner parade to the start line and a massive race-day cheer zone at the finish, Georgia Tech student-athletes are an integral part of the 5k race.”
“I absolutely loved getting to support Girls of the Run again this year,” stated Tech’s Andrea Demick, a member of the diving team. “As athletes, we all know how much it means to have support and encouragement. We love being able to cheer on these girls and watch their excitement as they succeed at their 5K!”
Throughout the program’s 12-week after-school program, several Georgia Tech female student-athletes visited participating schools to interact and encourage the program’s participants. GOTR setup a mock 5K during the 12-week campaign for the participants to train and several Yellow Jackets were involved in the training process, providing encouragement and support for the girls.
“It’s great to see so many youth excited about running,” commented Tech men’s cross country student-athlete Alex Grady. “Regardless of how fast or how far, we can all relate to something that is an integral part of our lives. Being on the other side of the finish line cheering definitely puts things into perspective on how important a support system can be.”
Girls on the Run is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.
Georgia Tech has partnered with Girls on the Run for nine years and continues its involvement with the organization in the spring when the Yellow Jackets host a 5K for the program.
