Help girls celebrate by attending, running or volunteering at special race

This paid event piece is sponsored by EmBe.

They’ve prepared for weeks, and now is your chance to cheer them on – or run with them.

More than 400 third through fifth grade girls from across South Dakota will come together Nov. 14 at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds for the fall EmBe 5K.

“The 5K is the capstone achievement for those participating in our programs and gives them a tangible sense of healthy goal-setting and success,” said Allison Sinning, youth development manager.

“This event is an opportunity for young girls to realize that they can set a goal and achieve it through perseverance and determination. We want the girls to look back on their 5K achievement and remember applying that same confidence to other challenges in life. That’s more important now than ever before.”

The noncompetitive race starts at 2 p.m.

More than 450 girls are participating in the program this school year, which also includes a spring race. They represent 32 school-based sites across South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota.

And you can do more than just watch the race. You can run in it too.

“You definitely do not need to be an experienced 5K runner, but our support runners have a great time and are a big encouragement to the girls,” Sinning said.

The fee for support runners, which includes a bib and race swag, is $15 for adults and those 13 and older, and $10 for kids, so girls’ family and friends can come along.

“We want this to be a fun event that encourages anyone who wants to get in the race,” Sinning said. “The environment is super high-energy, and you will love witnessing the excitement as the girls accomplish their goal.”

Click here for information and to register as a support runner. 

And there’s one more way you can engage with the Girls on the Run 5K: help out.

“We are always looking for adult volunteers to help make our race a fun, encouraging and inspiring event for the girls,” Sinning said. “5K volunteers will help direct the runners on the race route, hand out medals at the finish line, set up and take down for the event and hand out water and bananas.”

To sign up to volunteer, email [email protected].

To learn more about the Girls on the Run program, coordinated locally through EmBe, click below.

Girls on the Run provides girls with life skills needed now more than ever