WORCESTER, Mass. - Girls on the Run Worcester County is now in it's 11th season, starting in 2015 and serving more than 6,000 local girls since their inception. The local nonprofit combines physical activity with engaging lessons they say help local youth build self-confidence, foster healthy relationships, and develop vital life skills.

During an 8-week program, participants in grades three through eight learn lessons on creating goals, overcoming challenges, and making an impact in the community.

Their message culminates Sunday with their annual 5K. Executive Director Karen Spencer saying a message like this is crucial for the young girls in Central Massachusetts.

"It was great for girls to be able to have something so tangible that you could talk to them about how to stand up to bullying, how to deal with, you know, just the friendship issues that girls face, and especially early on in third grade where it all kind of starts, you start to see the you know, exclusion and the bullying starting really young," Spencer said. "So I wanted that, you know, for my community."

The race started with just four teams, and has now spread to communities all across Worcester County. 

Sunday's run will start at Polar Park and span throughout areas of downtown Worcester. Spencer says this year, they're expecting roughly 500 participants. She says the message is resonating.

"We had a coach speak at one of the the women's initiative event that we just went to, and she brought the room to tears because she talked about the challenges that she saw as a young girl and a young athlete. And just like now that she's a coach, she sees the importance of it. I usually don't stop to think about it," said Spencer. "I get pretty emotional. But for me, it's been the most rewarding thing that I've done."

Spencer says in total, the nonprofit is hoping to serve 1,400 local girls this year.

Girls on the run kicks off at 10:3 a.m.