Wondergirls, Activate!

Seattlest is getting in her invisible jet and touching down at Seward Park at 10 a.m. tomorrow for the Wondergirl 5K, which benefits an awesome afterschool program for girls 8-11 called Girls On the Run.

The Seattle Times tugs at your heartstrings with this profile of the group's Puget Sound chapter:

That hand, reaching from woman to girl, is what Girls on the Run of Puget Sound is about: a little boost to help preteen girls tackle both physical and mental challenges as they grow up. The after-school program, which jumped from serving nine girls its first 2002 season to 80 this spring, combines running and games with self-awareness and empowerment lessons. Some of the girls, ages 8 to 11, couldn't even run a lap around the park when they started; by the end of the 12-week session, they're partnered with a buddy for a 5-kilometer fun run.

This year's theme is superheroes, so it's a chance to break out your bullet-deflecting bracelets or magic cape while soaring among little super-heroines completing their first 5K.

It's not too late to register online ($20) or before the race. Supermen and superboys are invited too.

"Superheroes" photo courtesy of Seattlest Flickr pool member gaijinrunner