Shape Up RI and Girls on the Run to Partner For Providence 5K Walk/Run in June

March 26, 2012 – [Providence] Shape Up RI, the award-winning Rhode Island wellness campaign, and Girls on the Run Rhode Island, a non-profit program that encourages healthy lifestyles among preteen girls, are partnering for a 5K (3.1 miles) walk/run event on Saturday June 2, 2012. The event will begin at 9:00 AM at The Temple to Music at Roger Williams Park. The 5K is open to the public—women, men, girls and boys are welcome to participate.

Since 2006, Shape Up RI has been harnessing the power of social media and healthy competition to encourage Rhode Islanders to lead healthier lifestyles. Now in its seventh year, Shape Up RI has reached 70,000 participants, becoming a welcome feature of wellness programs at some of Rhode Island’s largest employers.

Girls on the Run is a volunteer-led after school program that weaves training for a 5K run with fun, experience-based lessons that improve self-awareness, build a collection of positive experiences and inspire life-changing confidence through accomplishment for preteen girls. Founded by four-time Hawaii Ironman triathlete Molly Barker in 1996, the program began in Charlotte, North Carolina with 13 girls. To date, the program has served hundreds of thousands of girls and is now offered in nearly 180 cities across North America. Girls on the Run Rhode Island launched in spring 2012 and is serving 36 girls. The 10-week curriculum concludes with the girls completing a 5K.

“We’re thrilled to help Girls on the Run Rhode Island celebrate its inaugural season,” said Shape Up RI Founder & Chairman Dr. Rajiv Kumar. “Molly Barker’s remarkable program introduces fun exercise to girls at an age when kids are still reliant on adults for information related to health and wellness.”

Girls on the Run Rhode Island Executive Director Hannah Colestock said, “Collaborating with Shape Up RI for this inaugural 5K event is a natural fit for Girls on the Run.”

Colestock added, “Both organizations share the mission of using teamwork to make Rhode Islanders healthier and happier – no matter their age. We look forward to celebrating each participant as they cross the finish line.”

Organized as a fundraiser to celebrate the accomplishments of girls currently participating in the first Girls on the Run Rhode Island season as well as the conclusion of as Shape Up RI’s spring team competition, this 5K is a perfect connection of the nationally known with the locally grown. Shape Up RI’s youth program, Shape Up Kids, has already improved the health of 1,000 Ocean State elementary school students, with gradual decreases to weight, blood pressure, BMI and cholesterol and increases to exercise and improved eating habits.

Kumar emphasized his enthusiasm for the upcoming 5K. “It’s going to be an amazing day. We’re working hard alongside Girls on the Run to make this a festive and memorable experience for everyone involved.”Major support for the event is being generously provided by Women’s Health Council of RI, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and GTECH.

About Shape Up RI

Shape Up RI is a fun, team-based fitness and healthy eating competition designed to help Rhode Islanders lead healthier lifestyles. The low $20 registration fee is waived for employees of all participating employers. Employers can find more information about participating in Shape Up RI by visiting www.shapeupri.org or calling (401) 421-0608.

About Girls on the Run Rhode Island

Girls on the Run Rhode Island is a non-profit after school program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade with the mission “to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.” The program curriculum combines training for a 5K (3.1 miles) event with lessons that inspire girls to become independent thinkers, enhance their problem solving skills and make healthy decisions. Girls on the Run Rhode Island is an independent council of Girls on the Run International. For more information, visit www.gotrri.org.

 5K Event Details

The Shape Up RI 5K to Benefit Girls on the Run will begin at 9:00 AM rain or shine, on Saturday June 2, 2012, at The Temple to Music at Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI. Registration is $20 until April 30, $25 until the May and $30 in-person on the day of the event. Participants will receive a race t-shirt. The event is being managed by TRIMOM Productions, LLC.

To register, please visit: http://www.active.com/running/providence-ri/shape-up-ri-5k-run-walk-to-benefit-gotrri-2012.

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