ROCKPORT — “Today we will be practicing our star power,” Midcoast area Girls on the Run founder Mary Middleton told the program’s participants Saturday morning.  The 17 third through fifth grade girls of the program that combines confidence building activities with jogging ran a mock 5K road race from the YMCA’s Rockport location to Aldemere Farm and back.

Middleton organized the practice 5K to ready the runners for the statewide GOTR Maine Celebratory 5K at Pineland Farm in New Gloucester on November 13.

Along with the regular warmup, Middleton’s mock race included official racing bibs, water stations, and post-race snacks.

The autumn session of this area’s GOTR program was only the inaugural season for the program, yet Middleton stated successes while preparing for Saturday’s run.

In late August, nine girls were registered, and Middleton planned to cap enrollment at 15. By the end of the season, 17 girls were among the circle.

According to her, parents and teachers have commented on the increases in confidence of some of the girls.

“We’ve seen it here, also,” she said. “Some of the girls started out very shy. But now they’re talking freely.” 

Middleton and her assistants plan to hold a spring session with a start date in March.

Sarah Thompson can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com.