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Salemwood K-8 School takes part in Annual Girls on Run: Heart & Sole Program

Many students take part in end-of-season 5K event at Boston Common

By Steve Freker

With the “Heart” portion of the program completed, all that was needed was the “Sole.” For over 100 girls from the Salemwood K-8 School in Malden, the second part of an uplifting eight-week program of competition culminated in an exuberant, fun 5K road race at Boston Common on Sunday. Girls on the Run (GOTR) “Heart and Sole” is a middle school program (for sixth-eighth graders), a program that concludes in a celebratory, non-competitive 5K run/walk event at the end of the season.

According to information on their website, girlsontherun.org, “Girls on the Run is a program for girls that combines running with life skills education to build their confidence and emotional health. It uses physical activity and discussions to help participants develop social, emotional, and physical skills while encouraging healthy habits.”

Salemwood Principal Van Huynh and a number of Salemwood educators accompanied the students for the weekend event in Boston and, from all reports, it was a great time for everyone. “Girls on the Run/Heart and Sole 5K run (Sunday) at the Boston Common and we want to give a big thank you to the students, families, staff and administrators for being there to support, run and walk with our students,” Ms. Van said. “Everyone had a blast!”