WHAT: Girls on the Run York Region & GTA (GOTR – YR/GTA) officially launches its second annual It’s Cool To Be ME 5K Walk/Run. The event is sponsored by New Balance, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Goody, Tim Hortons, Advantage Physiotherapy, Riverside Valley Homes, Retro Planet, Kore Designs, Chouinard Brother Roofing, U-Pak Disposal, Here’s My Baby! Fine Photography, Rotary Club of Kleinburg, Golden Griddle Woodbridge, Rotary Club of Markham Sunrise, Sunfield Realty Ltd., Meikle Health Services Inc., Marlee Medical Centre, Summit Occupational Health Services Inc., Maple Toyota and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

WHY: To celebrate the graduation of 600 girls age 8-12 years who are participating in the spring 2008 session of GOTR and to establish a scholarship fund for girls in our community who are financially unable to participate in the program.

Girls on the Run York Region & GTA is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping girls stay out of the “girl box” – a place where girls feel the world values them more for their appearance than who they really are. The group uses experiential learning programs, which combine training for a 5K walk/run event, with curricula designed to promote good choices for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.

Girls on the Run was created in Charlotte, NC in 1996 by 4 time Hawaii Ironman Triathlete, Molly Baker, MSW. In total, there are 140 Councils throughout North America. GOTR York Region & GTA is one of two Councils located in Canada. In 2007, more than 50,000 girls across North America met twice a week to run, laugh, learn and look at “girl box” issues they faced everyday. 

WHO:
�� Tania Jones – 2006 Team Canada Women’s Marathon Champion
�� Rina De Donato, Council Director
�� Norm Smyth, Kids Help Phone (cheque presentation)
�� Grade 3-8 and High School Students from: Jersey PS (Keswick), Kleinburg PS (Kleinburg), The Country Day
School (King City), Blessed Trinity CES (Maple), Discovery PS (Maple), Markham Gateway PS (Markham), St. Edward CES (Markham), Maple Leaf PS (Newmarket), Richmond Rose PS (Richmond Hill), St. Clare CES (Woodbridge), St. Jean de Brebouf CES (Woodbridge), Our Lady of Fatima CES (Woodbridge), Pinegrove PS (Woodbridge), St. Emily CES (Woodbridge), St. Stephen CES (Woodbridge), Woodbridge PS (Woodbridge), Bowmore PS (Toronto), Lescon PS (North York), St. Catherine of Alexandria CES (Georgetown), Clanmore Montessori School (Oakville), Holy Family CES (Oakville), Sheridan PS (Oakville)
�� Family, friends and the general public

WHEN: SATURDAY, MAY 31ST, 2008
9:30 AM GIRLS ON THE RUN PARADE TO START LINE
10:00 AM RACE START
11:15 AM CHEQUE PRESENTATION (KIDS HELP PHONE), ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WHERE: Boyd Park Conservation Area (Hillsview Site)
(Islington Avenue, north of Langstaff, south of Rutherford Rd)