Girls on the Run Flourishes in Buckhead

Sweat. Run. Swing a bat. Kick a ball. By some, those are not activities typical for girls. But, for others, it can be the pep in their step or even their job.

Girls on the Run Atlanta is a nonprofit program for girls in the 3rd through 8th grades and is designed to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. The program is available at many Buckhead schools including , and and also reaches into DeKalb, Gwinnett and Cobb counties.

In its 11th year in Atlanta, the organization, which is part of an international network of more than 170 affiliates, is celebrating a new partnership with the Atlanta Track Club. The new partnership, based on their adult charity component, SoleMates, helps promote giving opportunities to track club members.

SoleMates is designed to provide scholarships to girls interested in Girls on the Run, who as part of that experience, receive new shoes from New Balance.

“Adults can raise pledges for girls to participate in Girls on the Run,” said Sue Payne, the program’s executive director and mother of a 15- year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. “All runs from 5Ks to full or half marathons are included and even the inaugural Atlanta Marathon on Oct. 30,” she reiterated.

This year, Payne anticipates that she’ll have 62 teams scattered around metro Atlanta, up from 46 teams in fall 2010.

The program’s success, which is also occurring at the national level, seems to stem from the group sizes that are limited to eight to 15 participants and the spot-on curriculum, developed by a couple of adolescent psychologists.

According to Payne, the program’s curriculum is designed to direct girls to those activities they are passionate about rather than those that might be more “appropriate” for girls. King explained that at about 3rd grade, girls realize that they might be the only ones on the playground with boys running, sweating and jumping. Through participation, girls are taught to not fall into societal norms, but rather pursue those activities they enjoy.

After hearing all the conversation, I took a look back at myself. I don’t think athleticism was ever present at all. But, it sure made me wonder, what if?

Fall registration, which is online, begins Aug. 15 at 9 a.m. Is your girl game?