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No! Girls on the Run provides the training, curriculum and supplies needed to safely lead a team for a season! You simply need to be a motivating role model for your team. Many of our coaches participate in their first 5K alongside their team!

Yes! We host a community wide Girls on the Run 5K event that our coaches are required to attend. All GOTR participants and current coaches are already registered for the event and do not need to do anything further to participate!

Coaches can be any gender!

A minimum of one coach per team must have CPR and First Aid certification on file by the first session of any given season and be present at every practice. Our staff will work with each team to ensure one coach is certified prior, or attends our free training.

Yes! Community coaches are individuals not directly affiliated with a school or community location who support the Girls on the Run mission. Community coaches are placed according to their geographic location and their availability at sites that need additional coaches.

No! We provide you with training, curriculum and supplies – everything needed to coach a safe, successful season! You should not incur any personal costs to provide the program to your team.

Our council provides each program location with the curriculum and supplies needed to facilitate the season. Materials are available for pick up at our coach training event on Saturday, Feb. 28th. Details will be shared with your coaching team!

Coach training includes online self-paced training that takes between 3.5 - 4 hours to complete. Our new coaches are also required to attend an in person training, while returning coaches are encouraged to attend at the beginning (or stay for the entire training!) to pick up their appreciation gift, and share breakfast with us! The event will be held at Kensington Hotel in Ann Arbor on Saturday, February 28th from 9:30am-12:00pm with optional yoga and a Girls on the Run lesson experience prior.

In preparation for the season, our coaches must attend the New Coach Training (in person) and complete the Girls on the Run Learning Academy online training modules (self-led) which is approximately 5-8 hours total. Coaches must attend and lead 90-minute practices twice per week for 8 weeks. To provide a consistent experience to participants, your commitment is crucial to prepare and collaborate with co-coaches to facilitate fun, successful lessons. Each season culminates with a team-led community project and celebratory 5K event.  

Teams may practice at designated parks, recreation and community centers, homes and schools. The location and times are approved prior to participant registration each season. Practice times are typically set in the late afternoon/early evening hours (to accommodate participants after school). 

Coaches may indicate where they would like to coach. If coaches do not have a preference, we will assign them to a location in need. 

Absolutely! The more, the merrier! Each Girls on the Run team is led by two to three trained coaches. If you would like to coach at an existing site with another applicant, please mention this in your application and we will do our best to accommodate you.