Girls on the Run has 225 councils across the United States and Canada that serve more than 160,000 girls each year, using a curriculum taught by certified coaches. The curriculum helps each girl understand and celebrate herself, value healthy relationships, and realize her power to impact the world.
In addition to the lessons and games in the curriculum, girls participate in running activities, that encourage health and fitness. At the end of the 10-week session is a celebratory 5K running event that provides the girls with a lifelong memory of the big things that are possible when you keep moving forward. Girls on the Run hosts nearly 300 running events each year, making it one of the largest 5K series in the country based on number of events.
Girls on the Run will serve its one millionth girl this year, and is marking the achievement with a year-long celebration showcasing the program’s participants, volunteers and alumni. The One-in-a-Million campaign also includes a commitment to raise $1 million to serve its next million girls by 2020. Learn more about the One in a Million campaign by watching this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kYnfGkmtss
The growth of Girls on the Run is amazing, as Molly Barker started the program in 1996 in North Carolina with just 13 participants. It grew slowly until it became an official 501c3 organization in 2000 and reached more than 1,300 girls before ballooning to 10,000 just two years later.
If you would like to become a part of your local Girls on the Run council, consider becoming a volunteer coach or running buddy, or assisting at the 5K event. You can also contribute by making a donation and helping the organization come closer to reaching its next one million girls.
If Girls on the Run does not currently serve your area, you can learn more about starting a council on their website at www.girlsontherun.org.
