Reece Halovich would like to eventually do the Prince George Iceman.
And she had every intention of competing in it this year, except the annual January multi-sport race was cancelled this year due to cold temperatures that were unsafe for athletes.
Instead, the 13-year-old set her sights on the eight-week RCMP Girls' Run for Fun that concluded Saturday with a five-kilometre race around Fort George Park under warm, clear sunny skies.
During the program, 40 girls between the ages of 10 to 15 laced up their sneakers twice per week and also learned important issues girls are facing were discussed including bullying, nutrition, social media safety, drug and alcohol awareness and nutrition.
The girls were grinning from ear to ear when they finished the race.
"It's helped me become a better runner," said Halovich, who just completed Grade 7 at Pineview elementary. "It boosted my self-confidence and made me a happier person. I took a break from running [after doing the program in 2013] last year and it really does help you get in shape."
Halovich completed the race with her pals Melanie Stevens-Franko, 14 and Maria Harraway, 14, who all returned to the program for the second-straight year.
Stevens-Franko, going into Grade 10 at Duchess Park secondary, said the experience was worth it when she first completed the race last year.
"I wasn't into any extra-cirricular activities and I had never run before," she said. "I liked that you could talk to other people and meet other people from different schools and socialize. It motivates others and yourself and helps you set goals."
Harraway, who just completed Grade 7 at Spruceland Traditional elementary and is going into Grade 8 at Duchess Park secondary, said she was hesitant to sign up for the free program in 2013, but soon changed her mind.
"When I first heard about it, I didn't want to do it," she said. "It was a tough first year and my mom said I'd get into better shape. This year I pushed myself and today, at the start, I said I have to finish. And halfway through I sprinted to the finish line."
The teenaged girls admitted afterwards they all experienced a runner's high, the feeling of euphoria all runners get during a training run or race that make them feel on top of the world and that they can do anything.
Even better was that all three of them shaved between five to six minutes off their race times in 2013 to post new personal bests on Saturday.
The Girls' Run for Fun, in its fourth year, was supported by Community Policing and Victim Services, the RCMP and the City of Prince George.
The program is for inner city students, but all girls from around Prince George are welcome.
Linda Parker, one of the program's co-ordinators said the turnout every year really depends on the other activities of the girls.
"I'm very pleased. At this age group, girls tend to drop out of a lot of activities and they lose self-esteem," she said. "This builds it up and it makes them feel good about themselves."
Even after eight weeks, she sees them evolve.
[During the program], the girls grow up, they mature and they listen to us," she said. "They only choose to wear one ear bud while running instead of two. We'd love to see the program grow and we've got great support from the City and the RCMP. It's a fantastic program."
The girls know running has changed them, especially their feelings about body image.
"It makes you feel a lot better about yourself and people tell you you're doing great when you run," said Halovich. "I carry that with me even when I'm not running.
"It's helped me a lot," added Harraway. "Running helps in all kinds of sports and helps in everything you do, even helps in expressing creativity."
