WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) -- Girls on the Run empowers girls in the third through eighth grades by teaching them important life lessons. The life lessons include building self-confidence, how to overcome bullying, not succumbing to peer pressure and how being active keeps you healthy. "Right now, girls need this program more than ever," said Girls on the Run Heart of Kansas Executive Director Christy Thomas. "With COVID, a lot of social isolation, a lot of mental health issues going on right now, all over our country. The importance of being active not only helps with physical bodies but also our mental health, and so I think right now girls need this more than ever." Part of those life lessons includes training for eight weeks to prepare for a Girls on the Run 5K end-of-season celebration. Why flags will be flown half-staff in Kansas on Sunday Girls on the Run has been around since 2011. This year marks year 13. "We have empowered over 10,000 girls in our community over the last 12 years," said Thomas. For those interested in more information about Girls on the Run, visit www.girlsontherunks.org.