The Girls on the Run program teaches valuable life skills, but having fun is also important. Laura Morgan (No. 4437), the Girls on the Run County Coordinator, has been recognized as a Colorado Running Company "In the Pack" Community Heroes.

When Laura Morgan considers the decisions that changed her life, she looks back to her college years at Boston University.

Morgan admits she didn't exactly embrace a healthful lifestyle. She was overweight, her self image was waning. The thought of running for exercise was not pleasant. But she did it anyway.

"It helped turn my health around," Morgan said. "It was kind of a necessary evil. But then I did my first 5K and it opened up this whole new world, this new culture."

Years later she read about the Girls On the Run program, a nonprofit organization that teaches life skills to school girls in the 3rd to 8th grades.

"I knew how much running had changed my self esteem, my outlook on life," Morgan said.

She became a mentor in Girls on the Run, then moved to Colorado with her husband, Jason, and started the program in the Pikes Peak Region. She now serves as County Coordinator for five southeastern Colorado counties.

"It has been amazing to be part of it," Morgan said. "I'm blessed to be in this position."

Learn more about Girls on the Run.

She also managed to squeeze in a few runs of her own each week and has finished two trail marathons and a 50K ultra.

For her commitment to running and to girls in the Pikes Peak Region, Morgan has been selected as the Colorado Running Company's "In the Pack" community hero. She earns gift certificates from the Colorado Running Company and Roman Villa restaurant.

Starting a program is always difficult. But Morgan's passion for Girls on the Run was evident from the start.

"It was a little slow catching on, but we're growing now," she said.

With her help - and that of many others - Girls on the Run of the Rockies  (including schools up and down the Front Range) is now the fifth largest chapter in the country. In Morgan's area, more than 200 girls in 21 schools will have the opportunity to experience the Girls on the Run program this fall.

Girls on the Run mission is to "inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running." The program includes two 10-week session in the Fall and in the Spring that culminate with 5K runs at Venetucci Farm and in Monument Valley Park. But the program encompasses more than running.

"The girls learn about body image, what the media tells them vs. what is real," Morgan said.
The curriculum also includes discussions about gossiping, bullying, and leadership and conflict resolution.

"It's important for girls to know how to express themselves, to be respectful, but also be strong," Morgan said.

In addition to the 5K, the girls also focus on community building and take on a community service project.
"One of the secrets is how much the coaches and parents learn along with the girls," Morgan said.