About GOTR

What is our mission?
We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

What is our vision?
We envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

What are our core values?

• Recognize our power and responsibility to be intentional in our decision making
• Embrace our differences and find strength in our connectedness
• Express joy, optimism and gratitude through our words, thoughts and actions
• Nurture our physical, emotional and spiritual health
• Lead with an open heart and assume positive intent
• Stand up for ourselves and others
  

What are the program goals?

• Reduce the potential display of at-risk activities among participants, including eating disorders, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and depression
• Provide positive, healthy images of girls and women through quality and life-changing programming
• Encourage physical as well as emotional, mental, and character development for participants
• Promote an environment that allows girls and women to reach their full potential

How is the curriculum structured?
The curriculum encompasses the following 3 concepts:

• Weeks 1 - 4: All About Me – Getting to know who I am and what I stand for
• Weeks 5 - 8: Building My Team - Understanding the importance of cooperation
• Weeks 9 -12: Community Begins with Me - Learning about community and developing a community project

Each training session is structured as followed:

• The session begins with a getting-on-board and warm-up activity that focuses on the day's topic.
• The warm-up is followed by a stretching routine that allows for a topic-related question and answer time.
• Then, during the workout period, the girls participate in a variety of running activities that utilize a game or a team goal.
• Afterwards, cool-down stretching is combined with participant asked and answered questions.
• Each session closes with positive words from the girls' coach regarding individual and group behaviors.

Click here to view a sample lesson.

How do the participants benefit?
Girls complete 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. They also benefit from support provided by a positive peer group and role models.

Pre- and post-program academic evaluations conducted in 2001 and 2005 found that the GOTR curriculum improved self-esteem, body size satisfaction, and physical activity behaviors to a statistically significant extent.

Read what our participants have to say about Girls on the Run!

Media Coverage

Girls on the Run 5K
Johnson City Press, December 7, 2009

Teacher honored for Girls on the Run program
Johnson City Press, September 19, 2009

Girls Run to Raise Awareness, Funds for Local Nonprofit
TriCities.com/Bristol Herald Courier, May 11, 2009

Second annual Girls on the Run 5K
TriCities.com Events

Girls on the Run pairs fitness with self-esteem
Kingsport Times News, June 4, 2007

Videos

Girls on the Run Cheers