Molly Barker knew she had to do something when a young woman weighing only 85 pounds and starving herself told Barker she needed to lose more weight to be beautiful.

Barker, a four-time Hawaii Ironman triathlete, responded by forming Girls on the Run in August 1996. The foundation, aimed at girls ages 8 to 12, funds programming that improves girls' self-esteem. The six- to 12-week programs use physical activity (running) and experimental learning to teach specific and well-defined social and personal skills. The programs promote physical, emotional, mental and character development.

Barker was in Michigan recently working on a grass-roots program that has developed near Holland.

"I'm here to get girls to embrace a program that is non-competitive, one where girls can join together to have fun, make friends and enjoy a healthy activity," Barker said.

Her own experiences have helped pre-adolescent girls as they enter middle and high school. She has worked as a college counselor, high school teacher and track coach while addressing the needs of women with eating disorders, alcohol and substance-abuse problems, and depression.

The vision of Girls on the Run is to create a support network of sites across the country. Participants exit the program with a stronger sense of identity, a greater acceptance of themselves, a healthier body image, and an understanding of what it means to be part of a team. More than 50 percent of all participants choose to sign up for a second program.

Women who are knowledgeable about and value physical fitness serve as Girls on the Run coaches. They set up programs at YMCAs, schools, Jewish Community Centers, churches and community recreation centers. In-school or after-school programs are offered.

For more information, go to www.girlsontherun.com or call 800-901-9965.

Tip of the Week: One trick to keeping shoe laces from coming untied is tucking the tied ends underneath the laces and preventing them from flopping around.

Handy little book: The Runners' Repair Manual by Dr. Murray F Weisenfeld

Great Running Web Sites: RunMichigan.com has the latest pictures and results from Michigan races. MarathonGuide.com has articles and event ratings and reviews.