Get ready, get set, go! On Saturday, the Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle presented their 24th annual “Run for the Cookies 5K and one mile Run/Walk.”
The event, which took place at Tallahassee Community College, featured the Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle and the Tallahassee Community.
While Boy and Girl Scout troops could participate in the fun, the run was open to the public and open all age groups.
Brenda Gibbs is the Vice President of Business Services for the Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle. She says that the event will kick off the Girl Scout cookie sales which will run through March.
“This is our 24th year for our run for the cookies and it’s a race to benefit the Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle. We serve over 4,000 girls here in the panhandle area,” said Gibbs.
Aside from the run, locals also participated in activities such as face painting and stretching.
Many volunteers helped out with the event, including Taylor Blinn, who serves as an intern for Brian Burnett Chiropractic. She and Burnett helped stretch out the runners before they began the race.
“This is my first time out here for this 5k run. The energy is great. Everyone is so happy to be here and we’re happy to be here too,” said Blinn.
Awards were given to winners in each age group, both male and female.
Courtesy of Brea Hollingsworth
Winners received free boxes of cookies and also trophies.
Special awards were also given to the groups with the most Girl Scout troops, groups with the most Girl Scout finishers and Girl Scouts were given special participation patches.
Tiffany Starke participated in the 5k run for first time and she said she had a blast.
“I loved it. It was all flat, no hills, that’s the best part,” said Starke. She said her favorite part of the event was the tremendous number of cookies. “We love our Girl Scout cookies so if you haven’t already bought your Girl Scout cookies, come out and get some!”
All proceeds for the event will benefit the Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle which will help the girls when they travel. Tallahassee residents can check out the Girl Scout app to find Girl Scout cookie stations near them.