Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - A group of Missoula girls is not only planning to run in a Missoula Marathon race event this week but also turn around and help the adults finish their races on Sunday.

It's all part of Missoula Marathon Week, which culminates with the half, and full marathons on the roads and streets of the Missoula Valley Sunday morning.

For the second year in a row, Go Run Missoula, which promotes running for third to sixth-grade girls, is spending this week with their summer camp program, where girls not only learn more about the sport but how to use it to motivate their positive attitude and goal setting.

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"We run several after-school sites and a trail session in the spring," founder Angela Bridegam explains." Last year was our first pilot for the summer camp model, and so many girls and their guardians asked for it again this year."

The girls will focus on running technics, like proper form, passing, running safety, and also etiquette thanks to Alpine Running Guides. There will also be workshops on leadership with several guest speakers, plus strength training at RevoMT, all culminating in the Tony Banovich 5k this coming weekend.

But it's about more than running

The Go Run girls will also be completing a couple of service projects to support the Bitterroot Flower Shop. After their own race, they'll run an aid station for the marathon runners on Sunday and make some "healthy snack tool kits" with Sustainable Wellness.

They'll also visit Runner's Edge and Run Wild Missoula to learn more about how women run and own businesses.

The focus is to help girls during a pivotal time in their lives

"Go Run Missoula is more than a non-competitive running club," Bridegam adds. "We support identifying girls to build self-confidence, strength in their mental and physical abilities, and connection with their peers, mentors, and community."

Registration for the summer camp closes Monday with sign-ups online. Or, to find out more about the full program, visit the Go Run Missoula website.

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