Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a life-changing character development program for girls ages 8 to 12 that uses running to teach values and a sense of self. The mission is to prepare and educate girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. The 24-lesson curriculum is aimed at changing a girl’s unhealthy perception that how she looks is more important than who she is. The program combines training for a noncompetitive 1- or 3.1-mile running event with uplifting workouts and a community service project.
Founded in 2000 by Mandy Beard, Girls on the Run of the Triangle, Inc., is an Independent Council of Girls on the Run International, which has a network of more than 140 locations across the United States and Canada. GOTR-Triangle currently serves more than 400 girls a year in Wake, Orange and Durham counties.
In 2002, Wendy Webster,a founding board member of GOTR-Triangle and active member of the Junior League of Raleigh, helped create the relationship that exists today between GOTR and the League. After that first season when the League offered its first GOTR placement option for coaches, the relationship soared!
Since 2002, an average of seven to nine League members each year serve as assistant or head coaches during the fall and spring seasons at the GOTR Wake County sites. In five years, that’s more than 200 volunteer coaching hours, not to mention training, preparation, snacks and race days!
This year, there are eight GOTR locations in Wake County. Each site can serve a maximum of 14 girls per session, for a total of 280 girls. Cost to attend is $175 per girl, and scholarships are available. GOTR-Triangle has received two Junior League Community Grants of $4,000 and the 2006 Legacy Award.
League members have also served as Running Buddies and support staff for both the fall and spring 5K events. The end-of-season 5K is an important milestone for GOTR participants, so having League members running with girls — encouraging them along the route or cheering for them at the finish line — is priceless.
Aimee Foskie and Emily Stevens, the co-captains for Team GOTR, say one of their goals for this year is to clearly communicate the mission of Girls on the Run to the Junior League and to the communities it serves. They also hope to enhance the overall experience of all League members who serve Girls on the Run at any capacity: Coaching, Running Buddies or race participation. In working toward the awareness, rewards and benefits of Girls on the Run of the Triangle with our members, they are confident this will ultimately increase the number of League members who serve GOTR in the future.
2007-08 team roster
Co-captains
Aimee Foskie, Co-captain
Emily Stevens
Team
Kendra Dillingham
Kelly Gold
Mary Rob Green
Beth Hall
Shawna Jones
Juliane Kuminski *
Kathryn Miller
Jenny Pinkard
Kali Spink
*Studying abroad this year
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