(L to R) Jacksonville ASA Terrie Sabato and daughter Rhiannon, ET Shane Still, MIC Steve Letro and Forecasters Angie Enyedi, Scott Carroll and Phil Peterson (Photo: WFO Jacksonville)
(April 24, 2008) - A National Weather Service "Storm Busters" team from the Jacksonville forecast office sprinted into first place in the Military/Government division of Jacksonville's annual CitiStreet Corporate 5K charity run. Team members ran and walked their way through the five kilometer course (3.1 miles), beginning at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium and weaving its way around the city's Sports Complex.
More than 150 local company teams participated in the race in 10 divisions. Jacksonville was one of 13 competing in the Military/Government division. All proceeds from the annual charity run go to Girls on the Run, a unique nonprofit program for girls ages 8-12 in northeast Florida.
Programs are held each spring and fall for 10 weeks at various schools, parks and YMCA's throughout northeast Florida. The non-competitive program combines running with life lessons designed to help each girl achieve her individual best. Throughout the season, girls work to enhance their athletic ability, build confidence and self-esteem and develop positive character traits -- all while training to complete a 5K run. Lessons include team building activities, running games, work-outs and uplifting group discussions featuring healthy living topics.
Girls on the Run began in 1996 as a small group of 13 girls in Charlotte, N.C. Today, the program reaches more than 15,000 girls in 130 cities across the United States and Canada.