We can boast about a lot of firsts in Charlotte, but this one makes us proud in the running community — a program most runners, and so many others, have heard of by now called Girls on the Run. It’s a popular afterschool program that allows girls to learn about inner strength, confidence, and their own health and fitness, by using running to teach skills of character, care, and self-reliance.

Girls on the Run started more than 20 years ago in Charlotte, and now counts nearly 4,000 girls locally in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties.. and even more nationwide, now counting more than a MILLION girls who have participated in all 50 states! Just hearing that makes all of runners here in Charlotte stand up a little taller and maybe even, run a little harder? Joining us today on Running Around Charlotte is the local director for Girls on the Run, Maghan Knight.