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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!

Yes! Coaches are considered “unaffiliated” when they don’t work directly with a school where our programming is offered. If you are a community member, a school district employee, or a volunteer who wants to coach, this information applies to you!

Unaffiliated coaches are matched to schools based on school need for coach support, and the volunteer’s availability/location. Because of this, please be aware that there is a likelihood that you won’t be placed at a school. Learn more about the process here.

Coaches are considered “unaffiliated” when they don’t work directly with a school where our programming is offered. If you are a community member, a school district employee, or a volunteer who wants to coach, this information applies to you! Unaffiliated coaches are matched to schools based on school need for coach support, and the volunteer’s availability/location. Because of this, please be aware that there is a likelihood that you won’t be placed at a school.

Learn more here.

No, people of any gender can be a coach!

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! 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. We will contact coaches to arrange pick-up for their team’s materials.  

We will provide more information about coach training before the season begins. 

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 designated parks, recreation and community centers, homes and schools. The location and times are approved prior to participant registration each season. Practice times are typically set in the late afternoon/early evening 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 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.