Girls on the Run

Yes! We are much more than a running program, and every participant can benefit from the experience of building confidence through accomplishment while participating in our rich, curriculum-based, age-appropriate, interactive lessons. Expect lots of games, talking, laughing and processing in addition to running at each practice. And know that when we say run, we mean run, walk, skip, roll or push, just as long as you are moving forward!

We value having parents, caregivers, and community members coach with us! Please contact info@girlsontherunsemi.org if you are interested in starting an additional team, or joining a team that is already established.  Trained, full time coaches’ children are guaranteed a spot in the program.

The Girls on the Run 5K is a very special culminating event for your child. We highly recommend that your child has a buddy to share that monumental experience of accomplishing their goal by crossing the finish line. This can be a parent or care-giver, an older sibling or family member, or another community member to run, walk, or roll through the course with them. However, we also recognize that this may not always be possible. We work to ensure the safety of our 5K participants and have dozens and dozens of volunteers, course marshals, 5K experts, Girls on the Run staff, your childs' coaches, and other adults helping us the day of to help make this happen. Anyone who would like to participate in our 5K event can register by clicking HERE.
To volunteer at our 5K event, click HERE.

Yes! We are grateful for generous donors that have aided in our council never having to turn a child away as the result of financial reasons. Last year alone, we awarded $125,706 in financial aid to 946 local families, as well as athleticwear and shoes to 305 children in need. 
To sponsor a child, please click HERE for a one time, or a recurring donation opportunity. Thank you!

Unlike other programs, Girls on the Run combines both life skills learning and physical activity. It is our research-based curriculum and nationally recognized coach training program that sets us apart from other programs. In fact, an independent study showed that Girls on the Run participants were significantly more likely than girls in organized sports to learn and use life skills such as managing emotions, resolving conflict, helping others and making intentional decisions.

Many of our volunteer coaches are parents, caregivers, or other family members, as well as teachers and community members. All are welcome to coach. Visit the Coach page of our website for more information.

Girls on the Run believes that ALL girls, of ALL abilities,  deserve to participate in our program. The volunteers and staff are committed to providing the most inclusive environment possible at practice and at the end-of-season 5K through:

Including a specific focus on serving youth with a range of disabilities in our coach training.
Recognizing that each of our participants are wonderfully unique and may need accommodations that our coaches have not considered. The guidance of our participants’ grown-ups is welcomed and encouraged to provide a safe, inclusive environment.
Providing an inclusion guide to coaches with specific lesson adaptations for participants with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities.

Please reach out to info@girlsontherunsemi.org to talk about adaptations that we can make and/or whether Girls on the Run is a good fit for your child. 

Any participant engaged in behavior that threatens the health or welfare of other participants, coaches or other key Girls on the Run volunteers will be released from participating in the program. Threatening behavior may include but is not limited to: physical injury, emotional maltreatment, abuse of prescription or illegal drugs, use of alcohol, carrying firearms or other dangerous items, using any item in a dangerous way, or any other activity determined by a coach or administrator to be threatening to another’s health or well-being. Girls on the Run reserves the right to remove any child from participation for any reason that does not fit the mission and goals of the organization. Girls on the Run will be unable to refund the registration fee if a participant is asked to leave.

Girls on the Run is intentional with the way in which we see behaviors. We know that behavior is a skill that individuals learn and grow. We also know that a participant’s context and life experiences influence their behaviors. We are intentional about including participants with and without disabilities and work with participants within this context as well. 

Your program registration fee includes all lesson materials such as markers, index cards, jump ropes, balls, cones, 1st aid kits, lap counters, etc... It also covers the GOTR curriculum, activity sheets, a journal, GOTR t-shirt and water bottle, a cinch sack, and entry fee for the Girls on the Run 5K event that includes a commemorative bib and finisher's medal, as well as an end of season celebration and keepsake! The registration fee also helps to cover insurance costs, council and curriculum fees, as well as inclusive curriculum and program training (both online and in person) for our volunteer coaches led by certified Girls on the Run staff, CPR/1st aid training and season long support for our coaches.

Don't let cost stop you from participating! We are committed to making Girls on the Run accessible to all who want to participate. Thanks to generous donors and community supporters, financial assistance is available to any family who needs it, and we can also provide athletic shoes if needed. The online registration form will walk you through the process using our sliding scale along with the option for a payment plan- it's simple and if you need any help along the way, our staff is available to assist you by phone or email.

Our Spring 2026 season will begin the week of March 15th and wrap up the week of May 10th. Our culminating Girls on the Run 5K event will be held on Saturday, May 9th.

Yes! Since most of our teams fill up quickly, if your girl will be unable to attend all the sessions, please save room for a child who can. We also find that children who cannot attend both days do not always receive the intended outcome of the program, as the lessons in the curriculum used build off one another. We encourage families to consider joining us for a future season when their child can enjoy and benefit from the entire program.

Yes! As a mission-driven 501(c)3, Girls on the Run relies on generous donors in order to provide more than $30,000 in program scholarships for families in need. Click HERE to sponsor a participant this season.

A child's parent/guardian is responsible for contacting our office at info@girlsontherunsemi.org, or by calling 734-712-5640, if their child is not going to participate in the program. Girls on the Run is only able to issue a refund if we receive notice from the family prior to the start of the season. If a site is cancelled due to insufficient registration, your child doesn't make it onto the team, or other circumstances deemed appropriate by Girls on the Run, the full registration fee will be refunded.