We envision a world where every girl knows and activates their limitless potential.
Girls on the Run Central Ohio inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. We provide a supportive environment where girls learn essential life skills, celebrate their uniqueness, and develop an enduring commitment to themselves and their communities.
Since our inception in central Ohio in 2008, we have served more than 22,000 girls in 8 central Ohio counties.
How our program works:
Girls on the Run is a positive youth development program that helps participants build confidence, learn essential life skills and find joy in physical activity. Lessons strive to cultivate resilience, leadership, and help girls find the connection between physical and emotional health. Over the course of 10 weeks, teams of girls 3rd-8th grade meet twice a week for 75-90 minutes with volunteer, trained coaches to learn critical life skills through a blend of physical activities and engaging lessons. This includes
- building confidence
- engaging in critical thinking and intentional decision making
- demonstrating compassion and kindness
- learning how to stand up for themselves and others
Girls are then able to transfer these skills from the lessons into their everyday lives at school, home, or in their larger community. Each season, teams brainstorm and execute a Community Impact Project they complete together to understand how their actions make a meaningful contribution to the community. The season concludes with a celebratory 5K which highlights the mastery climate we implement into the program. The 5K is a tangible accomplishment for our participants that teaches them to set their own personal goals and to cross the finish line at their ‘happy pace.’
5K:
The season-ending, celebratory 5K is designed to give girls a tangible sense of achievement, build confidence to achieve other life goals, and demonstrate that they are capable of doing hard things! Thousands of girls, volunteer coaches, family members, and friends register to run, walk, skip, or twirl to the finish line.
Our next 5K takes place May 18, 2025 at the Columbus Commons. Click here to learn more– we’d love to see you there!
Community Impact Project:
Every season, Girls on the Run teams give back to their communities and make a difference by creating and executing a Community Impact Project. The goal of this project is for participants to understand how their actions impact their communities and how giving positive energy to communities can be contagious. In the past, central Ohio GOTR teams have made place mats for local nursing homes around Thanksgiving, created and executed kindness weeks at their schools, and a playground pickup where students collect trash around their schools.
Volunteer at Girls on the Run:
Volunteers are essential to our mission to serve more girls. Volunteer opportunities can be found on our website or by sending us an email so we can match you with an opportunity!
Anyone can help a girl join Girls on the Run and gain access to an empowering curriculum which can help her reach for her dreams! Donations made to Girls on the Run ensure that girls have access to our program and the equipment they need to comfortably complete programming regardless of financial barriers they may face.
Run may be in our name, but Girls on the Run is much more than stretches and lap goals. Participants increase their physical activity level, create meaningful connections with others, and make an impact on their communities!
Girls on the Run is a positive youth development program that inspires ALL girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. Our fun, interactive lessons meet the unique needs of participants of all abilities and backgrounds. Our goal is to help girls unleash their limitless potential and help them to discover the confidence to do anything!
