Tutus Rock Beach Run - Spread the Joy, Change the Conversation

SAN DIEGO, March 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In the spirit of its mission to support good health and help girls build self-esteem and overcome adversity, Girls on the Run San Diego wants you to break out the tutus and lace up your running shoes on Saturday, March 29, for an 8 a.m. run or walk along Torrey Pines State Beach.

If you can't be in San Diego, run anywhere in your community to endorse Girls on the Run's goals to support exercise, health and the little things that make us smile and bring us joy, which for some people means wearing a tutu while running!

The free, non-competitive #Tutus Rock Run was organized in response to a recent article in SELF Magazine that mocked the San Diego-based company Glam Runner, and the tutus it makes and sells to raise money for charities, including Girls on the Run San Diego.

"The outpouring of support for Glam Runner and its co-founders in the wake of the unfortunate article has been tremendous and shows that people around the country want more positive messages that correspond with Girls on the Run core values. We're hearing from people who want to change the conversation to be more constructive, substantive and supportive," said Amy Jerome, executive director of Girls on the Run San Diego.

"This run is a fun way to acknowledge that and to show the community, especially the girls we want to reach, the joy in doing what's healthy, what makes you feel good and what benefits others.  And that can include wearing a tutu," Jerome said.

Glam Runner was founded in 2011 by avid runners Monika Allen and Tara Baize, best friends who are also board members of Girls on the Run San Diego, a 501c 3 which sponsors after-school programs for girls. The GOTR 12-week program teaches lessons in health, fitness and socialization, including how to deal with peer pressure, gossip and bullying. Glam Runner has donated more than $5,600 to GOTRSD, enough to fully fund 30 girls who otherwise couldn't participate in the program.

In 2012, Allen, was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. Six months later, between chemotherapy treatments and with Baize by her side, Allen ran the LA Marathon dressed as Wonder Woman in a Glam Runner tutu.

Last month, Allen provided SELF Magazine a photo of herself and Baize running in the LA Marathon for a feature the publication said would be about the trend of runners wearing tutus.

Allen and her supporters were surprised and offended this week when SELF published the photo in an item that was critical of the tutu trend, calling it and Glam Runners "lame." The magazine has since apologized and said that it had been unaware of Glam Runner's mission and Allen's health issues.

Participants in the San Diego #Tutus Rock Run will meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot at Torrey Pines State Beach on McGonigle Road, off Carmel Valley Road. Group members will then run or walk along the beach for a few miles, turning back when they feel like it.

If you can't be in San Diego, you can join us by walking or running in your community. Take photos and post them to GOTRSD Facebook page or on Twitter using #tutusrock, #changetheconversation.

Wear a tutu if you've got one!

SOURCE Girls on the Run San Diego