Girls on the Run 5K a Success

Brooks County—The Girls on the Run 5K race was held on November 12, 2022, at the Fellowship Hall in Valdosta, GA (Brooks County) off Highway 133 at Brookside. Schools from all over the surrounding areas from grades 3rd through 8th entered this race. The race began at 9 a.m.

In Brooks County, North Brooks Elementary (NBES) Girls on the Run program raced with several girls who entered the program. Volunteer runners came to partner with the girls and NBES girls did great.

 Jada Manning, 3rd grade finished her 5K run in 33 minutes! Her mother, Ashley Manning said, “She did it! 5k in 33 minutes! We are so proud of you bug! Always reach for the stars!” Jada’s partner runner, Dawn Surrency stated on her Facebook post that “that girl can run” after saying she left her while running. Dawn also said, “Jada I am so stinking proud of you. Keep running girl. You are going to go places.” 

North Brooks Elementary School posted several pictures of the event on their Facebook page saying, “Congratulations to everyone who completed the Girls on the Run race today! It was great to see everyone accomplishing their goals! Thanks to all the girls for their hard work, Mrs. Monetti, Mrs. Lee, and all of the partner runners who came out in support!” 

Quitman Elementary School also participated and posted a video of the warmup dance prior to the racing on their Facebook page. Further pictures were also posted of the QES girls for Girls on the Run, along with this statement, “QES Family, I am beyond proud of these girls! They preserved through trials, self-doubt, worry, and just all-around pre-teenager girl issues to get to this moment! I am beyond elated that they found their “Star Power” to finish the race! To the Dads and Big Brother that ran this race with their beautiful daughters and sister, “Thank You”! You Really made their day! The QES male role models are awesome, and I appreciate you! Girls, it was amazing, and I hope you enjoyed the season! GOTR was so much fun!” 

School in surrounding counties included: Cook County Elementary, Cross Creek Elementary, Dewar Elementary, Hahira Elementary, Hahira Middle, Lake Park Elementary, Lowndes Middle School, Mitchell County Elementary, Pine Grove Elementary, Pinevale Elementary, Sallas Mahone Elementary, St. John Catholic School, SL Mason Elementary, Thomas County Middle, Valdosta Middle, and Westside Elementary. 

The Girls on the Run 5k event was sponsored by Pepsi Valdosta and all proceeds from the event went to the Girls on the Run. All participating girls in the program went through a 10-week program that taught lessons to encourage the girls to learn confidence, build peer connections, being encouraged to participate in community services and various other life skills. 



If you would like to know more about Girls on the Run, you may visit their website at Girls on the Run South Georgia.