Participants in the RCMP's Girls Run for Fun program head out on the final 5k race      250News photo

Prince George, BC – Even before heading out on the course, there were 'high fives' all around, as participants in the RCMP's 4th annual Girls Run for Fun warmed up for their final 5k race in Fort George Park yesterday…

More than 40 girls registered for this year's eight-week program offered by the RCMP's Community Policing Coordinator, Linda Parker, and Victim Services Coordinator, Krista Levar.  While the program targets inner city girls, it's open to young women throughout the community.  Parker and Levar begin every session covering important issues like personal safety, and drugs and alcohol awareness, before work-outs to prepare for the 5k finale.

Parker said the goal is to empower the girls through both knowledge and fitness.  And she said the final run really shows them what they've been able to accomplish.  "It really validates all of their hard work and it's a goal that they achieve."

"A lot of girls run the whole 5k race – they take it very seriously," said Parker.  "Others do a bit of a walk/run, there's nothing wrong with that.  They challenge themselves and that's what we've asked them to do."  She said afterwards, she hears a lot of 'Wow, I didn't know I could do that!'

14-year-old Melanie Stevens-Franko (left), 13-year-old Reece Halovich (centre), and 14-year-old Maria Harrawa (right) know that they can because all three young women were back for their second year in the program.

"I like that we all get to work together and improve on our running skills," said Melanie.  "We get to meet new people – lots of people are going into high school and we get to meet new friends from other schools."

Reece added that it's really helped to improve her fitness level, "There's other people to encourage us to run – it's just easier to run in a group than by yourself."

For Maria, this year's race is about facing an extra challenge.  She discovered during last year's 5k that she had asthma and this session was about learning to run with the condition.  "Last year, it was really challenging because it was really hot out," said the teen, "But this time I'm really prepared and I know what I'm going to be running through and how fast I'm going – it's a lot better because I know what to expect."

For any teen considering the run program for next year, Melanie offered up this advice:  "Go ahead and do it, it's really fun.  You get to meet so many people and get in shape, too.  It's motivating."