Girls on the Run

Be in the know with this season’s details for 3rd-5th graders and register today!

Two Girls on the Run participants smile at the camera while running at an outdoor practice in yellow shirts

Current Season Details

Thank you for your interest in Girls on the Run programming.

Registration will open in January!

Overview-Shared

Overview

We will be using a lottery for registration for the 2025 spring season.
A computer-generated lottery will take place on January 15th, 2025.
Our Fall 2024 season will begin the week of February 3!
Our standard schedule is to practice 2x a week for 10 weeks, but schedules will vary by site
Most schedules will wrap by April 26. A season-culminating 5K event will be held on April 26.

COVID-19-Shared

Financial Aid

The scholarship approval process is included in the online and paper registration process. Simply answer the scholarship questions during registration, and the computer will determine your eligibility and adjust the fee accordingly.

True

Timeline

October 12-December 13

Site Sign Up
January 1-January 14

Lottery Registration
January 1-February 3

The GOTR Girl registration period
January 15

A computer-generated lottery for all teams will take place on Wednesday, January 15th.
January 16 at 4 pm

Registration will open again to fill any remaining openings on the team. It will be on a first-come, first-served basis until the team is filled.
February 3, 2025

Girls on the Run Program Starts
April 17, 2025

End of the Season 5K

Reg fees - SHARED

Registration Fees

Building confidence and setting young girls down the path of a healthy lifestyle is PRICELESS! However, there are real costs associated with operating a non-profit organization and delivering the Girls on the Run program to approximately 500 girls in the Shenandoah Valley area each year. Our actual true cost per child is over $300. Registration is $150 per girl and includes:

20 ninety-minute sessions conducted by certified GOTR volunteer coaches
Curriculum and lesson materials
A healthy snack at each session
Official GOTR T-shirt, cinch sack and water bottle
5K Registration fee
5K Shirt
5K Medal
Post 5K celebration

*Participant registration fees are also used to pay dues to Girls on the Run International (for curriculum development, program evaluation, coach training development, etc.), comprehensive liability insurance, the curricula, program supplies (bins, paper, markers, ropes, cones, balls, etc.), staff to support volunteers and families, our website and registration system, background checks, coach training & appreciation, CPR/First Aid certifications, and the culminating Girls on the Run 5K event.

Registration Fee Guide

Registration Type	Price
Full-Price Registration	$150
Financial Aid Option 1 (Annual Income: $50,000 - $74,999)	$105
Financial Aid Option 2 (Annual Income: $35,000 - $49,999)	$55
Financial Aid Option 3 (Annual Income: $25,000 - $34,999)	$30
Financial Aid Option 4 (Annual Income: below $24,999)	$10

True

FAQ

My girl isn't a big runner; is this program for her? OR My girl is already a skilled runner. Is this program for her?

Yes! We are much more than a running program, and every participant can benefit from the experience of building confidence through accomplishment while participating in our rich, curriculum-based, age-appropriate, interactive lessons. Expect lots of games, talking, laughing and processing in addition to running at each practice. And know that when we say run, we mean run, walk, skip, roll or push, just as long as you are moving foward!

What does the program fee include?

While our actual cost per participant is over $270, thanks to generous donors we are able to subsidize the cost of the program, and the program fee for the 10-week, 20-lesson season is $150. The program registration fee includes all lesson materials, including the GOTR activity schedule, activity sheets, lap counters and more, a GOTR t-shirt, a GOTR 5K race entry bib, season finale, a finisher's medal, a GOTR water bottle, and a healthy snack at each practice.

We can't afford the program registration fee, but our child would love to participate. How does the scholarship program work?

Don't let cost stop you from participating! We are committed to making Girls on the Run accessible to all who want to particpate! Thanks to generous donors and community supporters, program scholarships are available to any family who needs it, and we can also provide appropriate running shoes and attire if necessary. The online registration form will walk you through a few questions to find the fee that is right for your family based on a sliding scale.

When does the 10 week season start?

Practices will begin in February. The culminating event will be the 5K run, which will take place on Saturday 20th of April. The GOTR staff and the coaches will share more information once the season begins.

Do girls need to attend both days each week in order to register?

Yes! Since most of our teams fill up quickly, if your girl will be unable to attend all the sessions, please save room for a girl who can, and consider joining us in a future season when she can enjoy the entire program.

Is there a way for me to sponsor a participant for a season?

Yes! As a mission-driven 501(c)3, Girls on the Run relies on generous donors in order to provide more than $20,000 in program scholarships for families in need. Click here to sponsor a participant this season.

Why does Girls on the Run use a lottery system?

We use a lottery system to allow all children an equal opportunity to sign up and participate in Girls on the Run programming. With tremendous growth of Girls on the Run, teams can fill up quickly. The lottery system gives all families the same opportunity to sign up instead of relying on a “first come, first served” system. The lottery system is used by the majority of GOTR councils nationwide and is recommended by Girls on the Run International.

How does the lottery registration period work?

Prior to the start of each season, Girls on the Run will advertise dates for the lottery registration period. Please see our website for lottery registration period dates. During the lottery period, registration is open to the public and parents can sign their child up for their preferred team. During this period, anyone who signs up will be entered into the lottery. For best chance to get a spot on your desired team, register anytime during this period.

Here's how lottery selection works:

When the lottery registration period is over, the system will temporarily close for lottery selection to take place.
If a team is over capacity at the time of lottery selection, kids will be randomly picked by the system and placed on the team. Remaining kids will be placed on the team's waitlist.
If a team is under capacity at the time of lottery selection, all kids will be placed on the team.
Payments are processed only if your child is placed on the team and there is a fee associated with your registration.
After the selection process, registration will re-open for teams with remaining space. Kids will be placed on a first come, first serve basis, until the team reaches capacity.

When will we know if our child gets a spot on the team?

If your child is selected in lottery and is placed on the team, you will receive an email confirmation of your “registered” status on the day of lottery selection day.

What if my child is not selected during the lottery?

If the team is over capacity and your child is not selected in the lottery process, they will be placed on the waitlist for that team. Should a spot become available, a child will be selected from the waitlist. Credit cards will not be charged unless your child is officially added to the team. Kids are welcome to sign-up for other teams, if space is available.

What if my child is not selected during the lottery?

How does the lottery system affect kids who have participated in the past?  

Though we appreciate the passion and loyalty of kids that have participated in prior seasons, we are also committed to ensuring that as many kids as possible experience Girls on the Run. Therefore, we do not offer preferential registration for GOTR alumni. The lottery system provides every family an equal opportunity to register.

How many kids are allowed on a team?

In order to ensure a quality program experience for kids and coaches, we limit the number of participants on each team. Kid to coach ratios must be maintained at every practice.

- For a team of 8-15 kids, 3 three coaches are needed at every practice
- For a team of 16-20 kids, 4 coaches are needed at every practice
- Multiple teams are allowed at a site, as long as there are enough dedicated coaches for each team, and space adequate to safely host two separate teams.

What if there are more kids interested than spots available?

A site can host multiple teams (concurrently or on different days) as long as there is adequate safe space and enough dedicated coaches per team. All coaches complete an application, background check & coach training before the start of the season

If it’s truly random, why do you ask how many seasons my child has participated?

This information is collected on behalf of Girls on the Run International. It is used to calculate retention rates and for curriculum development purposes.

What is Pinwheel?

Pinwheel is the name of a third-party software system Girls on the Run uses as a registration and people management tool. This tool is utilized for program registration, volunteer management, 5K event participation and more. The Pinwheel system protects confidential information and will be used to conduct a fair and random lottery selection process.

Who do I contact with more questions about the lottery registration process?

Contact our Program Manager: Allison Major at allison.major@girlsontherun.org