Pleasanton Businesses Sponsor 5K Run Training For Worthy Cause

PLEASANTON, CA – Committing to run a 5K is often associated with a New Year’s resolution, but starting a training regimen to begin to cover a 3.1-mile course as the summer begins can now not only benefit local residents, but can also provide help to a worthy organization that empowers young girls.

Prodigy Fitness and Fleet Feet Pleasanton have partnered together to offer a six-week training program that also includes a running program and more. All of the proceeds of the program will go toward Girls Soccer Worldwide, a not-for-profit organization that empowers girls to rise out of poverty through sports and education.

Locally, the proceeds from the running and training programs will go toward helping out girls grades 4-6 who are part of the after-school soccer programs in Livermore and around the Tri-Valley area.

"For anyone who has had a 5k on their bucket list, this is an incredible experience to be part of," Pamela Jacobsen, the co-founder of Girls Soccer Worldwide said in a video outlining the event.

"This is another way for (residents) to give back to girls living in poverty ...the money is going to stay here locally in our own community and I feel like that is key. It's really about us coming together as a community."

The six-week program is being offered at a heavily discounted rate of $125, organizers said in a news release. The program includes six weeks of personal training and metabolic conditioning classes at Prodigy Fitness, a six-week running program with two group running sessions (Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings) per week through Fleet Feet, an exclusive shopping event with personalized shoe fittings as well as support that will help first-time race runners get through their first 5K event.

The program will begin on May 31 with the final run scheduled for July 11, organizers said. The program is designed for beginning runners who have their eyes set on crossing the finish line of a 5K event and for more experienced runners who want to improve on their 5k time.

Training will take place at Prodigy Fitness Pleasanton, which is located at 5653 Stoneridge Dr., #101 in Pleasanton. Virtual training opportunities are available as well.

With the focus being not on self-improvement and fitness, but helping impoverished girls from around the Tri-Valley area, organizers say the endeavor built around working together to help others is a win-win proposition.

"In our Grassroots Leadership program, our goals are centered around empowering young girls to rise up, make a difference, and become strong leaders in their own communities," Jacobsen said in an email to Patch on Tuesday. "With us coming together through this 5k experience, we are able to create opportunities for these young girls to have access to sports and gain the leadership skills needed to succeed in life during a time of great influence. We believe every girl has a voice that can change the world, starting with her own. "

More information about the program can be found here and those interested in participating can register here.