Hundreds Run Rohnert Park to Inspire Girls' Confidence

More than 800 people showed to to the Community Center Saturday morning for a 5K run, put on by the Sonoma County-based nonprofit Girls on the Run, an organization that organizes activities for girls in grades 3-8. Some were girls, some were community and family members who ran in support.

"It was a huge success," said Shelli Main, the race director for Girls on the Run of Sonoma County.

Mayor Gina Belforte and the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety were among supporters present.

The nonprofit's mission is "to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running."

Main said that "during the 12-week program, girls are taught specific life lessons such as dealing with body image and the media, resisting peer pressure and making healthy decisions with combined training for a 5K (3.1 miles)."