What Our Coaches Say

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!

Yes, we ask that all coaches become CPR and First Aid certified by the first session of any given season. Certification can be obtained through American Red Cross or another reputable organization. Please email copy to [email protected] before the start of the season.

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.

Coach placement is on-going during key months leading up to the season. 

• Spring Coach placement happens in November, December, January, and February.
• Fall Coach placement happens in May, June, July and August.

During those months, the Coaches Needed page is updated regularly to show current sites in need of community coaches.

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. Coaches typically pick up their materials from one of our training events, but may also contact staff to arrange a different time/location to get their coach bag.

Coach training includes online self-paced training and an in-person training session. We will provide more information about coach training before the season begins. Dates will be announced via the News section on our website.

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 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. 

Teams may practice at schools, designated parks, recreation and community centers. The location and times are approved prior to participant registration each season. Practice times are typically after school (from anywhere between 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM). Times for each site are listed on the Our Locations page.

Please let us know where you'd like to coach on your coach application. If you are affiliated with a school (parent, teacher, staff, etc..), we will assign you to that location.

If you are not affiliated with a school, Girls on the Run staff will work with you to help determine the best placement for you.There is a section of the application to indicate your preferred neighborhood and times.

Absolutely! The more, the merrier! Each Girls on the Run team is led by two to 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.