MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Girls on the Run is a nationwide organization designed to not only get young girls moving but to help them understand the importance of self confidence.

The program focuses on girls in grades 3rd through 8th. Each team meets twice a week to train for a 5k in May, but girls on the run is about more than just finishing laps. 

Heather Durian has been a coach for the Rayla team for three years. She shared what makes Girls on the Run so unique. 

"It's girl empowerment," Durian said. "Not just physical but also about your entire life style. Like learning to get along with others, to sleep well, eat well and just the overall person."

Lesson plans each week teach the girls about overcoming challenges and believing in yourself.

The team also offers the girls a support system and it's obvious the girls actually enjoy and want to be there. Members of the team said their favorite memory was the 5k.

"It was really refreshing to see I ran that far in this amount of time." "It was really fun," second year team member Holly said.

The Girls on the Run 5k is at the end of May. The organization welcomes the community to get involved. If you're interested please visit GirlsontheRun.org