Developing good habits toward mental and physical health can never begin too early — especially if you have the right support. Girls on the Run, a national nonprofit, aims to teach girls from 3rd to 8th grade to nurture their physical, emotional and spiritual wellness through empowerment while training for a 5K run.
Nearly 500 girls, ages 9-15, completed this year’s Girls on the Run nine-week program, which concluded with a 5K on May 5 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Girls on the Run’s mission is to create a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.
For the third straight year, UnitedHealthcare’s Health Plan of Nevada was the presenting sponsor of the Southern Nevada chapter. UnitedHealth Group Vice President Erin Russell and a dozen UHC employees were on site to cheer on the girls and present them with medals at the finish line.
Many of the girls attend low-income schools and are only able to participate through corporate sponsorships. As Nevada’s largest Medicaid provider, Health Plan of Nevada supports Girls on the Run in its mission to help girls at these schools learn about nutrition, exercise and hear messages of empowerment.
“I look forward to this event every year,” Russell said. “These girls are so inspiring and we are grateful for the opportunity to help them to live healthier lives.”