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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!

The first step in becoming a Coach (after completing our Coach application) is to complete our GOTR Coach Training, which will provide you with all the information and skills you need to be a superstar Girls on the Run Coach! By completing this training, you’ll be ready to deliver our experience-based curriculum to inspire kids in your community to be joyful, healthy and confident.

This training consists of both an online and in-person component. All new Coaches must complete both the online and in-person portions of training prior to coaching a team.

• PART 1: These self-paced, online training modules take about 3.5 hours and must be completed before you attend the in-person training.
• PART 2: Council staff members lead the in-person training session which lasts about 3 hours.  There are 3 available dates for in-person training (in early September) & new Coaches must attend one. More details can be found in the Coach application.

Once you have completed Parts 1 and 2, you will be a certified Girls on the Run Coach!

No, we have some superstar male Coaches!

Here is our policy:

• 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.

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.  We are able to provide CPR certification training if necessary.

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! 

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.  

Coaches must attend and co-lead 90-minute practices twice per week for 10 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.  

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. 

Yes - each team receives a site allowance to pay for snacks (which are provided by coaches at each practice), community impact project supplies, and end of season celebration supplies. Coaches must submit all receipts related to program expenses and will be reimbursed for an amount not to exceed to site allowance.

If coaches prefer to compile an Amazon wishlist, we can order snacks for you and ship them directly to you.

Teams may practice at schools, parks, or recreation / community centers. Practice times are typically set in the late afternoon 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. 

Absolutely! The more, the merrier! Each Girls on the Run team is led by at least 3 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.

We would love to hear from you!  Feel free to contact our Program Manager, Heather Plastaras at heather.plastaras@girlsontherun.org with coaching questions!