Girls on the Run is a program on the grow. From a single chapter with almost 400 girls in Holland in 2000, GOTR has expanded to more than 5,000 participants throughout the state.

"We're pretty certain Michigan has the most participants in the country," says Southeast Michigan GOTR Council Director Lisa Hesse.

The program, launched by North Carolina triathlete Molly Barker in 1994, employs physical and life-skill activities to help girls ages 8 to 11 deal with at-risk behaviors. Nationally, more than 30,000 girls have taken part in GOTR activities. There is also a Girls on Track program, aimed at 12- to 14-year-olds. Both programs encourage families to take part.

"Girls on the Run," stresses Hesse, "is a healthy living program. The three-mile run/walk is just part of it. The girls also walk, crawl or hop."

But running is a key component in helping girls learn to cope with issues such as tobacco, alcohol and drug use, obesity, anorexia and teen pregnancy. The program, Hesse says, "takes what's great about running - goal setting, perseverance - and leads to discussions about issues affecting girls."

The culmination is completion of a 5K run or walk. The girls train to do so for several months. The run/walk often becomes a community affair, with girls accompanied by coaches, parents, families, even civic and school officials.

Articles in Michigan Runner, Runner's World magazine and local newspapers have spread the word about GOTR. But Hesse thinks the best promotion has come from word of mouth. "That's how I started the Girls on the Run with Ruthann Nichols in southeast Michigan in 2002," she remembers.

Strong support continues from New Balance, which offers shoe and equipment discounts, and even scholarships, for participants; and from local specialty running stores.

Although local GOTR chapters are chartered through the national program, Hesse notes that, "each individual program is a little different." Some work directly through schools, some with local health departments. Southeast Michigan's Girls on the Run is its own nonprofit organization, but most of its offerings - such as classes and training - are held in schools.

In Ottawa and Allegan counties, some funding comes from the Center for Women in Transition. Coordinator Kelly Urbaniak says more than 1,100 participants completed this year's program, which wrapped up this spring with two run-and-walk events.

The first-year Greater Kalamazoo chapter had 1,013 participants this spring, director Sandy Barry-Loken says.

This is the third year for GOTR in Lake, Mecosta, Missaukee, Newaygo and Wexford counties. Nicole Poindexter coordinates the program through District Health Department #10. "We had a 1,011 girls participate," she says.

The Harbor Springs area GOTR just finished its first season under director Debbie Esposito. Despite pouring rain, all 32 girls in the program completed its Memorial Day 5K, joined and assisted by the Harbor Springs High School National Honor Society, girls cross country, track, and soccer teams. The local police and school superintendent also took part in the program and/or run. Participants also held good luck and congratulations parties for coach Denise Simon, who ran in the Boston Marathon this spring.

Coaches and volunteers are key components in each program. "A high percentage of my coaches are University of Michigan students," Hesse says. "Others are community women who serve as role models," such as doctors.

Hesse's own favorite part of GOTR, "is working directly with the girls, seeing what they get out of the program." She laments that the Southeast Michigan Council's growth - hence her work in coordinating activities - has taken away somewhat from these best-of-times for her.

The Lake, Mecosta et al. program drew "close to 200 volunteers," says Poindexter. Urbaniak shared comments from her coaches:

"I enjoyed working with the girls and impacting their lives in a positive way. It was also exciting to teach the girls about running and physical health - something that I love learning about myself."

"I enjoyed supporting and encouraging the girls who weren't sure they could do it. I also enjoyed what the program did for me personally - healing my own childhood wounds from not being successful in athletics."

"The relationships we made with the girls was my favorite part of coaching. I found out how important it is to set a good example for these girls, who, at this point in their lives, may need positive role models." And of course the girls benefitted. Some comments from them:

"I learned to believe in myself."

"I learned to achieve my goals and to feel good after."

"I learned not to give up every day."

"I learned how gossip hurts everyone."

"I learned to like myself no matter what my weight is or what I look like."

"I stand up for other people even if I don't like them."

For more information, visit GOTR's national Web site (complete with goals, lesson suggestions, testimonials, local chapters, etc.) at www.girlsontherun.org (telephone number 1-800-901-9965), or e-mail Hesse at lisa@girlsontherunsemi.org.

Ron Marinucci can be reached by e-mail at RMarin6424@aol.com. MR