Record Achievements for Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay

Photos (L to R): Elementary school girl participants sign a thank you card for UnitedHealthcare for its support as part of the pre-race expo festivities. Laura Moore, executive director for Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay joins Beth Granger, health strategies specialist for UnitedHealthcare, to welcome participants before the start of the 5K race. Parents, family members and the general public join the more than 600 elementary schoolgirl participants at the start of the UnitedHealthcare Girls on the Run 5K.

More than 600 third through fifth grade girls from 42 Sarasota, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas County elementary schools “graduated” from their after-school 5K training and life skills program at the 4th Annual UnitedHealthcare Girls on the Run 5K race.

Held on December 9, 2017 at Poynter Park in downtown Saint Petersburg, Fla., the girls were joined by an additional 640 family members, runners and walkers and 150 Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay coaches for a record turnout of more than 1,300 people, raising $6,000 for Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay.

In addition to serving at the presenting sponsor for the 5K Race, UnitedHealthcare’s support also provided funding for more than 20 training program scholarships, which are given to 40 percent of all schoolgirl participants, based on financial need. Scholarship funding included support for two entire school’s participants, Clair Mel Elementary School in Tampa and Garden Elementary in Venice, Fla.

“UnitedHealthcare’s support for the past three years has been instrumental in the growth of our program,” said Laura Moore, Council Director for Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay. “Without these funds, many lower income schools and girls would not have the opportunity to participate in what has proven to be a life-changing and enhancing experience for all the girls and their coaches,” Moore added.

The race and its proceeds commemorate and help fund the Girls on the Run training program in the Greater Tampa Bay Area, which has grown from six participating schools in 2013 to 42 schools in Sarasota, Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco Counties for the December 2017 program.

About Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay

Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity based positive youth development program for girls in the third through fifth grades. The girls are taught life skills through dynamic interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay is an Affiliate Council of Girls on the Run International, which has a network of 200+ locations across the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.girlsontheruntampabay.org.