coach quote

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!

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.

No. But here is our policy:

• At least one female coach over the age of 21 must be present at all times.
• Our Head Coach must be female.
• 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.

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. All community coaches will need to have a background screen done by the school district if you are on school grounds.

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.

Our council provides each program location with the curriculum and supplies needed to facilitate the season.  All supplies needed will be given at the Coaches Kick-Off meeting each season.

Coach training includes online self-paced training and an in-person training session. In person trainings dates will be emailed to you once the coach application is completed and dates/locations/times are confirmed.

Coaches must attend and lead 75 to 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 three coaches who are 18 years of age or older, some teams may also have a Junior Coach assigned. Junior Coaches are former GOTR participants who have aged out of the program who complete an application and training. They are role models and developing leaders who support the adult coaches and mentor the team. 

Teams may practice at schools, designated parks or recreation and community centers.   The location and times are approved prior to participant registration each season. Practice times are typically set in the afterschool hours. Please CLICK HERE to see our locations and practice times.

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 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.