Florida Dairy Farmers is Providing Scholarship for Girls on the Run Central Florida members to Participate in the 36th Smile Mile

Smile Mile is the best fun run all year for children ages 5-11!  This event first took place around 1985 and now we see the children and even grandchildren of past participants running!  Smile Mile encourages running for kids and is a kick start to ensure a lifetime of fitness for them.

The event, which normally attracts 2000 young runners, is happening virtually, meaning that kids will run their mile at home or, at a local park or school and still receive a t-shirt, bib number and finisher medal.

Track Shack Youth Foundation and local businesses are working together to ensure that young girls involved with the local Girls on the Run program don’t miss out on Smile Mile because of COVID-19. Florida Dairy Farmers is providing scholarship for up to 90 girls to run in Smile Mile, happening virtually on Saturday, March 27. 

Girls on the Run is an after-school program designed to inspire girls of all abilities to recognize and embrace their inner strength. Lessons emphasize the important connection between physical and emotional health. Through safety modifications and virtual programming, dedicated and trained staff are ready to adapt to local community needs. Florida Dairy Farmers encourages empowering young women to make history through promoting healthy habits from a young age and are proud to sponsor 90 free entries for members of Girls on the Run Central Florida.

“We appreciate that our longtime partner Florida Dairy Farmers recognizes the need kids have for physical activity.  By sponsoring members of Girls On the Run, this creates a goal-setting opportunity and positive experience for these young runners,” says Betsy Hughes, co-owner of Track Shack Events.

Each year, one school from each county with the most participants wins a $500 Track Shack Youth Foundation grant for the school PE department.   Children from 88 local schools across a four-county area have registered to run the Smile Mile virtual. View highest participating schools.

Young runners receive a robot-themed t-shirt, medal, and bib number  Registration available at https://www.trackshack.com/event/29/event-info.