Girls on the Run

About

Girls on the Run International is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. Founded in 1996 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the organization offers a physical activity-based positive youth development program that inspires third to eighth-grade girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident. The curriculum creatively integrates running to teach critical life skills, such as managing emotions, resolving conflict, helping others, and making intentional decisions. The organization operates through a network of over 160 local councils across the United States and Canada, serving more than 200,000 girls annually. Each season culminates in a celebratory 5K event, which provides participants with a tangible sense of accomplishment and a framework for setting and achieving life goals. Girls on the Run International headquarters supports these local councils by developing evidence-based curriculum, providing national training, and creating educational materials. The organization is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access, striving to eliminate barriers to participation and ensuring that its programming engages all communities.