My heart was pounding as I felt my feet slam against the pavement. The announcer and spectators cheered us on as women from all walks of life ran in pink outfits. We were running a 5k to fight for equal pay and equal rights for all women. This race occurred on November 4 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It was for Girls on the Run, a non profit organization that empowers girls to be joyful and healthy using a curriculum that integrates running. Molly Barker, the founder of Girls on the Run in 1996, envisioned her organization expanding and becoming a national phenomenon. Now, Girls on the Run has reached all 50 states through its creation of over 200 councils. The importance of inspiring girls to be active and confident is what positively impacts a young girl’s life. Heather Kroeger, a new resident to the Roaring Fork Valley this year, and the mother of fellow staff writer, Kaelyn Kroeger, has been following the Girls on the Run Organization for a long time.

“Encouraging young girls to run is very important. I am a cross country coach at the Aspen Country Day School and I think that when a girl runs, she is able to let out all her frustrations and fears. Running is very important to me and my family. The way Girls on the Run is empowering girls of all ages is incredible,” Kroeger said.

Kroger holds the organization dear to her heart and hopes to spread its great message. It is important to recognize the strength of all women whatever they do. Sharon Poling, a committee member of Girls on the Run in the Rockies, has been a part of the organization since 2000.

“The Western Colorado council of GOTR began in 2000 in Grand Junction, so our first 5K was here. Since that time, we’ve added races as needed to meet the needs of our participants and their families. We’ve done a lot of growing since then and we don’t want people to have to travel more than an hour or so for an event,” Poling said.

Girls on the Run of the Rockies dedicates its time to educating young girls, specifically in the Rocky Mountains. It’s goal is to educate and inspire girls everywhere to believe that they are powerful. The message I observed from the race was so influential. It was so empowering to see women of all ages running. To me, this was one of the most inspiring experiences I’ve ever had. One of the most valuable things I learned was that girls who were least active at the start of participating in Girls on the Run, increased their physical activity by 40%, which also helps raise girl’s self esteem.

I ran and ran. My feet hitting the pavement at a relatively fast pace. The joy exploded out of me as I continued to make my way down the course. The smiling faces of my fellow runners and the cheers of the spectators circled in my mind. It was my first time running a 5k and I couldn’t be more amazed. Running gives me so much adrenaline and excitement. Everyone in their pink colors raced down the course ecstatically. I will forever remember participating in an event that celebrated women from all different walks of life and smiling in the luscious pink.