Girls on the Run of Jackson County spring season nears

By Glen Reese

Girls on the Run of Jackson County, a 12-week noncompetitive program, has announced its spring season will begin Saturday, Feb. 16, and run through Saturday, May 10.

The program is offered each year in the spring and fall and combines physical activity with experimental learning. Each of its 24 lessons aims to teach social and personal-development skills.

The group will meet from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Raytown YMCA. Lessons will move to Kenagy Park when the weather warms up.

“It’s very important that we instill self-esteem in these young ladies with everything that’s going on today,” said Emily Braton, a Girls on the Run board member. “It provides them with a kick-start in life with the skills they need to succeed.”

The group will host an open house from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 16, at Raytown YMCA. The spring season will wrap up May 10 with a 5K run. The route hadn’t yet been finalized, but it will begin and end at Raytown YMCA, said Sabrena Lea, Girls on the Run council director.

Lea was honored Friday, Feb. 1, at this year’s Win for KC Women’s Sports Awards Celebration at Hyatt Regency Crown Center. She was one of six announced winners, receiving the Sprint Spirit Award for bringing Girls on the Run to Jackson County. Former Olympic skier Picabo Street was the keynote speaker.

“It’s exciting to win the award,” Lea said. “My parents came here from Toledo, Ohio, for the awards celebration. It was a busy week.”

Sports writer Glen Reese can be reached at 358-6397 or greese@npgco.com.