Spoiler alert: this isn’t a story about speed.

It’s about sweat, showing up, and what happens when you decide to move with purpose—no matter your pace. On Global Running Day, our Executive Director shares what a 12-minute mile means to her… and why SoleMates isn’t just for elite runners.

“I learned I don’t have to change who I am for people to like me.”
— GOTR Girl

The finish line is just the beginning.
Read what our girls carry with them long after the 5K ends in our final State of the Girl post.

Too many girls feel like they don’t fit in anywhere.
We’re changing that — one lap, one team cheer, one hug at a time.

She wouldn’t speak. She wouldn’t run.
But week by week, step by step… she came back to life.

This is what moving for mental health looks like.
Read how Girls on the Run transforms movement into healing — and how you can help today.

"She’s only 10 — and she already feels like she’s not good enough.”
This Mental Health Month, we’re sharing the State of the Girl: the urgent truth about what girls today are facing — and how we can help them rise, shine, and thrive.

We may be known for our 5Ks, but Girls on the Run is so much more than a running club. In the final part of our blog series, we pull back the curtain on what really happens during a season—and how our joyful, community-rooted program is delivering life-changing mental health support for girls across Virginia. If you've ever wondered how prevention actually looks in action—this is it.

We often talk about the youth mental health crisis—but what’s missing from the conversation is what actually works. In Part 2 of our blog series, we take a closer look at prevention: what it means, how it shows up in schools, and why programs like Girls on the Run are delivering life-changing mental health support long before crisis hits. Prevention doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to be consistent, caring, and rooted in connection. 💛

When people hear “Girls on the Run,” they often imagine a fun afterschool running program. And it is fun. And we do run. But underneath the sneakers and cheering crowds is something much more profound: a prevention-based, trauma-informed mental health program—one that meets girls exactly where they are and gives them the tools they need to thrive.

As my daughter Abby stands on the cusp of her teenage years, my heart overflows with the lessons I hope to pass on to her—about self-worth, resilience, and the importance of embracing her true self. In this heartfelt letter, I reflect on the wisdom I wish I’d known at her age and the guiding principles that I hope will light her path as she navigates these pivotal years.

This isn’t just a message for Abby; it’s a love letter to every girl finding her way, and a reminder of the limitless potential we all carry within. Join me in celebrating the incredible journey of growing up—and the life-changing power of organizations like Girls on the Run, which help girls see just how unstoppable they are.

📖 Read the full letter to Abby and discover how we can empower the next generation of joyful, healthy, and confident girls!

💖 Learn more about Girls on the Run and join the movement: www.gotrpiedmont.org
🌟 Support girls like Abby: Become a Champion for Change