LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — Families and friends gathered this weekend at Onondaga Lake Park to celebrate the Girls on the Run 5k. The annual 5k is much more than a race; it’s a colorful, fun, and empowering event for everyone.
Girls on the Run has been empowering young women for nearly three decades now. The Upstate New York chapter brought together families, coaches, and volunteers to put on the event Sunday. Volunteer Heather Waters said this sense of community is what the organization is all about.
“There are schools from all over where there are girls participating and they get to come here. And it’s kinda the culmination of all the things they’ve been doing. They get to come and celebrate and run,” said Waters.
It was definitely a celebration Sunday. Emily Gannon, longtime coach and board member of the for the organization, said the lessons learned are most valuable.
“The girls really learn how to take care of themselves and what it means to take care of themselves emotionally and physically. Then they really learn how it looks to work together as a group, as a team,” said Gannon.
It’s not just the girls who get into the race. Parents and family members join their girls in the race or cheer loudly in support. Mike Competillo drove from Groton, New York to watch his son and granddaughter.
“I’m out here to support my granddaughter Juliet Competillo who is running with her dad Michael,” said Competillo.
The Upstate New York chapter of Girls on the Run started in 2002 , and Gannon says she has continued to see the event and organization grow over the years.
“I just had a mom say that her goal is to next year run it with her daughter too. So, I think how it’s just a contagious thing,” said Gannon.
The Upstate New York chapter has served nearly 4,000 girls since it started in 2002, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. For anyone interested in learning more about Girls on the Run or supporting the organization, visit their website.
