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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!

Thank you for being intentional with your decision to coach! Please read our Message to Coaches and our Coach FAQ if you're considering the commitment. 

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.

Girls on the Run is intentionally designed to be delivered in small groups. 

• For a standard team size of 8-15 kids, 3 coaches are needed at every practice (more are welcome).
• For a large team size of 16-20 kids, 4 coaches are needed at every practice (more are welcome).
• Multiple teams are allowed to run concurrently at a site, as long as there are enough dedicated coaches to each team, and space adequate to safely host two separate teams. 

Coaches do not create lessons or workouts. Coaches facilitate an easy-to-follow, well-researched, copyrighted curriculum that is used by all Girls on the Run councils throughout the United States and Canada.

No! We provide you with training, curriculum books and all faciltation supplies – everything needed to confidently coach a safe, successful season! Coaches should not incur any personal costs to provide the program to your team.

Our GOTR council provides each team with the curriculum and supplies needed to facilitate the season. We will announce specific dates for supply pick up in the weeks leading up to the start of the season. Coach box/supply pickup will be located at our office, 901 Deming Way Madison, WI 53717.

Training for NEW coaches includes online self-paced training (approx 4 hours) and an in-person training session (approx 2.5 hours). We will provide more information about coach training before the season begins (training dates for the spring season are listed above).

During the season, coaches should expect to volunteer 3-4 hours per week. This includes: two 90 min practices sessions each week, a little time on-site before and after practice, reviewing GOTR curriculum ahead of the lesson, and communicating with co-coaches, participant's families, and GOTR staff. To provide a consistent experience to participants, your commitment is crucial to prepare and collaborate with co-coaches to facilitate fun, successful lessons.

Teams may practice at accessible public parks, recreation and community centers, 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 of additional volunteer coaches.

Absolutely! The more, the merrier! Each Girls on the Run practice is led by three or four trained coaches. If you would like to coach at an existing site with another coach, please mention this in your application and we will do our best to accommodate you.

A minimum of one coach per team must have CPR and First Aid certification on file. Girls on the Run offers CPR/First Aid training to GOTR coaches who need an updated certification. 

Sorry, no. Having unregistered people or pets at GOTR practice is a liability concern for our organization. As a GOTR coach, you'll be giving all your attention to the girls in order to build positive, inclusive relationships, develop a healthy team dynamic and deliver the curriculum as intended. 

No. Coaches can be of any gender identity and from all walks of life.

In addition to the adult 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.