Yesterday was one of our favourite days of the year! A day when we get to witness hundreds of girls activate their star power and limitless potential. ✨ Thank you Caroline for capturing how inspiring this day truly is. 💜 💚 🩶
Every woman who runs regularly started somewhere, which is why it was so inspiring to watch hundreds of young beginners complete their first five kilometres yesterday afternoon, crossing the finish line looking proud and happy at the Louis Riel Dome in Blackburn Hamlet. The registered participants — all girls somewhere between the ages of eight and 13 — took part in the Girls on the Run and Heart & Sole programs run by the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) Foundation . When the running program was first launched in 2021, there were only two dozen participants from Bayshore Public School and Russell Heights Community House. Yesterday, there were 307 girls signed up from 19 schools and community groups. The kids, all wearing a #1 running bib, were joined by volunteer coaches, event volunteers and, in some cases, family members as they took to the track, sprinting, jogging, walking leisurely, or combining all three. They were cheered on by actual cheerleaders, as well as sign-holding spectators. Leading up to the start time, there were activity stations offering hair and face decorating (might as well look good while you feel good, right?). The opening remarks were led by OSEG Foundation senior manager of community impact and engagement, Kim McLean. She’s in charge of Girls on The Run and Heart & Soul, the latter of which is designed for slightly older girls. The programs use activity to teach life skills, healthy behaviours and core values. She was joined at the event by OSEG Foundation's executive director Janice Barresi, CFRE. City councillors Laura Dudas (Orléans West-Innes) and Marty Carr (Alta Vista) offered encouraging words before the participants stretched and headed to the starting line. Later, their colleague, Bay Ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh, who’s also board chair of Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCH), congratulated participants for going the full distance. She reminded them that she got her start as a runner with a 5 km event. She’s since done 21 marathons (not including her Ironman triathlons). “Don’t stop running,” she told the girls. It sounds like such an obvious thing to say but, according to a 2020 study by Canadian Women & Sport | Femmes et sport au Canada and Jumpstart, one in three girls drops out of sports by the time they become teenagers. By comparison, the dropout rate for boys is only one in 10. Sports provide an outlet for teenage angst, helping our kids channel their emotions in physical activity and to build confidence and self-esteem during a period of their lives when they probably need it most. Kids are also less likely to get caught up in substance use and other reckless behaviours if they’re involved in sports. The study also found when parents are active in sports, their girls are three times more likely to be active. The participants left that day not only feeling like they accomplished something but also with a shiny new medal hanging around their necks. #girlsontherun #healthyliving
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Building trust through change
3moIt was an awesome day and great way to celebrate the wrap up of the Fall program. Loved being a coach this year. Thank you OSEG Foundation, and especially Sam Schroeder for sponsoring and organizing an awesome Fall GOTR 🫶. Girls on the Run have so much fun!🏃🏻♀️