RAPID CITY, S.D. – It’s ridiculous. It’s fun. It encourages girls to build positive experiences with fitness.

Youth & Family Services’ (YFS) Girls Inc. of Rapid City hosted its annual 3K Ridiculous Red Run on Thursday at Sioux Park in Rapid City.

More than 100 girls ages 6 to 11 participate in the Ridiculous Red Run. Girls can run the 3K competitively or simply enjoy the walk at Sioux Park – it’s meant to be an introduction to physical activity for different interests and physical abilities. 

“The event originated 10 years ago and was a yearly thing,” Jeremy LeLaCheur, Communications Coordinator, Youth & Family Services said. “There was a brief pause for a few years where we did not do it, but last year we celebrated 60 years of Girls Inc. in Rapid City, so we brought it back. This year we are happy to do it again and foresee it continuing for years to come.”

LeLaCheur said YFS Girls Inc. started the Ridiculous Red Run as a way to get kids active in a fun and silly way.

“One of the most important parts of getting kids active is doing it in a fun way that doesn’t feel like a chore,” he said. “The Ridiculous Red Run gives girls a chance to be silly with their friends and enjoy time outdoors.”

Girls Inc. is one of nine programs under the Youth & Family Services umbrella. LeLaCheur said YFS has programs that meet the needs of children and families at every stage of development.

“Each program approaches fun activities, events, and field trips differently based on who they serve, but as a whole, YFS has a few big events like our annual Dinner Theatre in the fall and Kids Fair in the spring that are large undertakings that help raise funds for all of our programs,” he said.

Photos courtesy of Jeremy LeLaCheur, Youth & Family Services, Communications Coordinator