Girls on the Run Program Starting in Holdrege

Registration Opens Feb. 1 for New Program

Registration opens Feb. 1 for Holdrege’s first Girls on the Run team this spring at The Don Sjogren Community YMCA.

Girls on the Run is an innovative after-school program that combines exercise, education, mentoring and “girl power” to promote character and confidence in girls in grades 3-6. The program incorporates a nationally standardized curriculum that teaches valuable life skills like goal-setting, positive-thinking, teamwork, communication and conflict resolution with physically active games to train girls for a 5K walk/run.

Girls on the Run is a national non-profit organization that has been helping girls live healthier and more confident since 2003. More than 200,000 girls participate in the program each year in all 50 states.

Bethanne Kuck has a daughter in fifth grade and is leading efforts to bring this program to Holdrege.

“When I was a child, I did not enjoy running,” Bethanne said. “As an adult, it has become one of my favorite pastimes and forms of exercise. I have friends who are involved in programs at Norris and Ord and wanted to bring that same opportunity to girls in Holdrege. The combination of physical exercise and character curriculum is something that girls of this age can greatly benefit from.”

Debra Jauken and Jayde Wohlgemuth are also volunteering as coaches, and more coaches are welcome and needed. Coaches complete concussion training, online lessons and a half-day training course.

Due to a limited number of coaches this first year, the program will be limited to the first 20 girls who register. Thanks to a donation from Phelps Memorial Health Center, the tuition for the Holdrege program is just $30 per participant (normally, it would be $60).

Registration for the Holdrege program opens Feb. 1 at GOTRNebraska.org. The program will take place from 4:15-5:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays from February 24 to April 29 at the Don Sjogren Community YMCA. The Holdrege team will participate in the Girls on the Run 5K in Kearney on April 25, along with Girls on the Run teams from other area towns.

For more information about this program, please visit GOTRNebraska.org or contact Joel Pelster at the YMCA (jpelster@ymcaoftheprairie.org) or Bethanne Kuck (bethannemkunz@gmail.com).