Red Wolves - IU East

RICHMOND - The Red Wolves took part in an out-of-the-box training run on April 20 at Middlefork Reservoir.

Indiana University East's cross country runners joined in an activity that helped local elementary and middle school girls learn good running habits and good life habits.

IU East's Vanessa Legg, Kelsey West, Nicole House, James Healton, Nick Reece and Zach Burns helped six local youngsters train for the Girls Inc. 5K Fun Run scheduled for May 15.

Click here to view photos from the training run.

"It was really great to have role models there because Girls Inc. supervisors and staff are not all runners," said Girls Inc. volunteer Shulamite Wan, who coordinated the activity.

"If any of the kids said something like, 'I don't like running,' the IU East runners could be role models and let them know running is cool, that running is great exercise, and run with them."

Wan led an activity adapted from Girls on the Run International, a program that combines training for a distance run with "self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts," according to the organization's Web site.

Half of IU East's runners held banners reading "In the Box Girl," "Out of the Box girl" and a question mark.

The other Red Wolves joined the youngsters about 50 yards away from the banners.

Wan would call out a positive or negative behavior. The Red Wolves and the youngsters identified the behavior as positive or negative by running to the appropriate banner.

Runners don't want to get "boxed in" during a race. "In the box" also was something to avoid in this activity.

The IU East runners helped the youngsters identify actions like bullying as a negative, "in the box girl" behavior.

Positive actions such as being complimentary, strong and confident were identified as "outside the box girl" behaviors.

"It was fun," said Legg. "I enjoyed helping out. I thought running around with the girls was the best part, and I think the girls thought running around was the best part."

Added House: "Every youngster needs someone to look up to, and to provide that was a good experience."

Girls Incorporated "is a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold," according to the organization's Web site.

According to the organization, programs focus on science, math, and technology, health and sexuality, economic and financial literacy, sports skills, leadership and advocacy, and media literacy for girls ages 6 to 18.

Girls Inc. Wayne County offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Contact the local Girls Inc. through www.girlsincwayne.org, or contact Wan at 404-514-4904.

The Girls Inc. 5K is May 15 at Middlefork Reservoir.

Entry fee is $15 before May 10 and $20 on race day.

Proceeds benefit Girls Inc. of Wayne County.

Register online at www.wcchallenge.org.

The Girls Inc. 5K is part of the Wayne County Challenge. The Challenge includes the Run With the Wolves 5K scheduled for July 17 at IU East.

"If you have kids or know of kids, spend time helping them be active," Wan said. "It doesn't have to be running, but getting them to be active in anything is never a bad thing."