Submitted photo
East Juniata Elementary School students Catherine West (from left), Abriella Imes and Teagan Burger ran in the Girls on the Run 5K.

From Staff Reports

HARRISBURG — Traditionally, tigers are fast animals. Thirteen East Juniata Elementary School students proved that, participating in the Capital Area Girls on the Run 5K race in Harrisburg on Sunday.

After many weeks of hard work at practice, the girls were prepared to run the race. The 13 students – Emmaleigha Beschornerran, Teagen Burger, Siobhan Cameron, Aubrey Fogle, Riley Graybill, Abriella Imes, Elizabeth Landis, Neveah Mesmer, Kaylee Nolt, Eowyn Rendall, Ella Snyder, Emma Walter and Catherine West – ran against more than 1,900 other participants.

The students raced against the clock, ready to show others what all the hard work was for. The girls were dedicated to their mission – to make it to the finish line in positive spirits – and they succeeded.

They were all smiling when the race was over. One even said that although the race was hard and her legs were still sore, she had a lot of fun. Some of that fun is due to their dedicated coaches, as well Laine Guiser, Tiffanie Burger and Karen Imes, who ran the race with them. The girls’ success story showed what it means to be strong, healthy young women.

Organizers state Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity based positive youth development program for girls in grades three through eight. They learn life skills through dynamic interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.