In communities across the country, and right here in northern Arizona, youth running is about more than pace, distance or finish lines. Through Girls on the Run, a national female-focused Physical Activity-Based Positive Youth Development program, it becomes a powerful vehicle for confidence, connection and lifelong growth.
A new national study reinforces what many local families, coaches and participants have long experienced firsthand. The Girls on the Run Alums Study, a third-party research effort, found that the program’s impact extends well beyond a single season. Years after participating during elementary school, girls continue to draw on the skills they learned — confidence, emotional regulation, teamwork,and resilience — as they navigate adolescence.
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