DAYTON — They certainly lived up to their name.

The character-development program is called Girls on the Run Dayton, and 195 girls from the area — along with 230 adult running buddies and community runners — took part in a 5K race Saturday that began and ended with much fanfare at Welcome Stadium.

With 160 chapters across the United States and Canada, Girls on the Run is a 12-week, 24-lesson after-school program for girls from third grade through eighth grade.

“We focus on self-esteem, positive choices and healthy living for girls,” said Angela Lewis, the Executive Director of Girls on the Run Dayton. “We make sure they are confident with who they are and give them the tools to stand up against peer pressure, gossip, bullying and all that.

“The different lessons in the program start with the girl as a whole and get her comfortable with who she is. She learns she can be unique and it’s OK.”

The final third of the program is geared to the girl being involved in her community.

“They have to know they have an obligation to give back,” Lewis said. “So we have them do community impact programs that they come up with themselves. Some plant flowers at their school. Some might write letters to soldiers, collect donations for families in need or do things for nursing homes.

“The 5K is the last thing and you see some girls come in, arms crossed, saying ‘My mom made me do this, but if you think you’re gonna get me to run 3.1 miles, you’ve lost your mind.’

“But you know what? They all do cross the finish line. Look around today, they all have their medals and they’re beaming. They’ve done something they thought was unobtainable. They feel good about themselves.”