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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!

Absolutely not! But here is our policy:

• All adults are welcome to coach, pending the completion of a background check and coach training.
• At least one female coach over the age of 21 must be present at all times.
• All other coaches and assistant coaches must be at least 18 years of age.
• Junior Coaches must be at least 16 years of age and female.

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.

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.

We are committed to ensuring our volunteer coaches feel comfortable, confident and supported in leading a successful season of Girls on the Run or Heart & Sole. Coach training includes online self-paced training and an in-person training session.

• First time GOTR and Heart & Sole coaches complete a GOTR National Coach Training developed by GOTR International and comprehensive self-paced online modules through GOTR's Learning Academy. Approximatley 4 hours. This is completed prior to in person training. 
• First time coaches attend in-person National Coach Training with other new coaches as the final piece to coach training.  Approximately 2 hours.
• Returning coaches do not have to complete training again to coach in subsequent seasons. 

We will provide more information about coach training before the season begins. 

Coach training includes online self-paced training and an in-person training session. We will provide more information about coach training before the season begins. 

Our council provides each program location with the curriculum and supplies needed to facilitate the season. We will contact coaches to arrange pick-up for their team’s materials.  

First time coaches must complete our online and in person training before coaching.
Coaches must attend and lead 75 to 90-minute practices once or 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. We do our best to accomodate everyone's schedules and ensure we can support as many GOTR and Heart & Sole sites as possible.

Absolutely! The more, the merrier! Each Girls on the Run team is led by two to three trained coaches, and sometimes a Junior Coach. 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.

In addition to the two to three coaches who are 18 years of age or older, some teams may also have a Junior Coach assigned. Junior Coaches are high school volunteers between the ages 16-18 who complete an application and training. They are role models and developing leaders who support the adult coaches and mentor the team. 

• Girls on the Run is typically grades 3-5 and Heart & Sole is grades 6-8. These grade groupings sometimes vary slightly depending on the school (i.e., some GOTR sites are grades 3-6).
• Girls on the Run inspires girls of all abilities to recognize their individual strengths, while building a sense of connection in a team setting. Lessons blend physical activity with life skill development to enable girls to adapt to whatever comes their way. At the end of the season, the team completes a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion.
• Heart & Sole is a middle school program that meets the unique needs of girls of all abilities in 6th-8th grade. The program considers the whole person – body, brain, heart, spirit and social connection. Heart & Sole offers an inclusive place of belonging, where girls feel supported and inspired to explore their emotions, cultivate empathy and strengthen their physical and emotional health. At the end of the season, all program participants complete a 5K.

Teams typically consist of 8-20 participants depending on the community. GOTRSI will continue to implement enrollment limits for each team to ensure a positive, safe experience for all participants and coaches.

We encourage sites to identify at least 3 volunteer coaches. This ensures that 2 coaches can be present, as required, if one volunteer is absent. However, a minimum of 2 coaches per session are reaquired to be present.