College Times

Media Credit: Ryan A. Ruiz

For Kelly Teahan, running opened new doors.

So the Arizona State University junior took what she learned from running and began passing on that knowledge to young Phoenix metro-area girls through a program called Girls on the Run.

The group, which has helped over 30,000 girls in 100 communities in the US and Canada, helps build self esteem and positive body image for young girls through running activities

"When I started running, I learned that I can push myself to do anything I set my mind to, and I want those girls to know that if they want to do something, they can accomplish it," Teahan said.

She volunteers at Madison Simis Elementary School, one of many schools throughout Maricopa County participating in Girls on the Run.

Teahan volunteers three hours a week coaching 19 girls. Each Tuesday and Thursday the group meets on the school's track for a different life lesson promoting positive social, mental, physical and emotional development.

"We talk about what being respectful means, about gossip and right now we are focusing on what being a good citizen of the community means and the importance of community service," Teahan said.

Each lesson lasts about 45 minutes, followed by another 45 minutes of running activities.

"We'll do activities like, for example, drug awareness," Teahan said. "We'll ask a question about alcohol or a certain drug and they will have to run to the correct spot to answer the question."

Students also run laps around the school's outdoor track, and Teahan admits it's not always the easiest task to get those little feet moving. Popsicle, squirt gun and princess tiara rewards are not uncommon to give the girls an extra incentive.

The program's success has been praised in newspapers throughout the country and recognized in Runner's World, where Teahan first caught word.

"I thought it sounded like a neat program. It's great they have a running program for girls at such a young age because I didn't start running until I was older, and that's the stage girls stop focusing on just themselves and start noticing and comparing other people around them."

Teahan also said it is important to her to be a role model for the girls.

"I want them to understand that a role model is not necessarily skinny, but healthy," she said. "I teach them that everybody has a different body type, to focus more on characteristics rather than appearance and to exercise to be healthy."

Maricopa County has two 10-week programs a year. This spring's program comes to an end this weekend with the Diva Dash 5K race at Kiwanis Park in Tempe on Saturday.

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