On February 22, 2025, Girls on the Run of South Central Wisconsin will celebrate its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of inspiring and empowering youth throughout the region. Since its inception, the organization has positively impacted nearly 25,000 girls with the support of nearly 7,000 dedicated volunteers, fostering confidence, resilience, and leadership skills through their evidence-based curriculum and physical activity.

Serving over 150 school sites across 36 school districts in 10 counties, Girls on the Run has become a cornerstone of youth development in the region. Through engaging lessons and goal-setting activities, participants build essential life skills and complete a celebratory 5K run/walk, symbolizing their growth and achievements.

“This milestone is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our volunteers, coaches, community partners, and supporters who have championed our mission,” said Christine Benedict, Executive Director of Girls on the Run. “We are immensely proud of the impact we’ve made in the lives of so many, equipping them with the tools to navigate life with confidence and compassion.”

Lily Williams, a 2024 Shabazz High School graduate shared this as she reflected back on her participation Girls on the Run as a 4th and 5th grader at Gompers Elementary, "I am eternally grateful to Girls on the Run for setting me up for success and giving me the tools to become the person I am today. The trajectory of my life took a turn toward confidence, responsbility, leadership, advocacy, empathy, and with a positive attitude."

Girls on the Run remains committed to ensuring access for all participants. In 2024, about 50% of participants received free or reduced cost programming to support their participation in Girls on the Run. The continued success of the program is made possible through generous donors, corporate sponsors, and passionate community members.

As part of the anniversary celebration, Girls on the Run will host their two 5K events in 2025:

• Saturday, May 31st at Verona Area High School

• Saturday, November 8th at the Waunakee Village Center

Additionally, a special 20th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Saturday, October 4th at Memorial Union’s Great Hall. Past participants, volunteers, and community supporters are invited to join the festivities and celebrate two decades of empowerment.

For more information about Girls on the Run of South Central Wisconsin, upcoming events, or ways to get involved, visit www.girlsontherunscwi.org or follow us @GOTRSCWI.