Girls on the Run of the Bay Area

I would give this 5 stars but there is some disorganization which doesn’t suit an organization like this well. I have been a running buddy for the end of the year 5k a couple times and both times it’s been an awesome run with an awesome girl. However, the first year I signed up and paid the fee and everything then I got to my assigned school and the coaches had no idea what I was doing there and when they figured it out they were so unorganized they did not know which girl to assign me to. It is imperative that they get this organized so that they can ensure the success of every girl.

Hey, Unilocal runners and joggers!
Girls on the Run is looking for volunteers to be running buddies for their 12^th semi-​annual Lollipop 5k Run in Golden Gate Park on Sat, Dec. 5^th!
This is my fourth season coaching for Girls on the Run. After four seasons it is still my favorite non-​profit to volunteer for. There is nothing more gratifying then seeing the young girls cross the finish line with huge smiles on their faces.
Be a part of this special event by signing up to be a running buddy for one of the cool little girls running this event on Sat, ¹²⁄₅. It’s only a 5K (3.1 miles).
Overall: Girls on the Run is a great program that helps build young girls confidence through running. Volunteer and help a young girl cross the finish line at the Lollipop Run.
You can find out more and register here:

Amazing, awesome organization that does good things — I’ve volunteered at the Lollipop Run and seen the look of joy on the girls faces when they finish their race. I wish we had a program like this when I was a kid!
And PS, ditto with what Melissa H. says. She’s a smart cookie.

I think that Girls on the Run is a great organization with an amazing mission. It seems very childish to me that people exploit a good cause over the internet based on an internal financial disagreement which probably has two sides, like most things.
Keep up the good work GOTR, best of luck this year. You have my support!

First found out about Girls on the Run when I volunteered with One Brick to help with registration at their Lollipop Run. I was totally inspired and decided to sign up as a coach for the next Run.
I coached at an awesome school in Bayview. Had to attend a one-​day training held at REI. We went through the curriculum which focuses on building physical fitness and self-​esteem with the girls. After that, you show up at your school every week and do a physical fitness activity intertwined with the lesson. You discuss how to handle gossip, confrontation, eating well, etc.
All in all, it was a great experience. The hours were tough for me, especially if I got caught up at work. If you can’t commit to an entire season of coaching, definitely sign up to be a running buddy (guys are welcome) at the Lollipop Runs. You’ll feel awe-​inspired watching these little ladies cross the finish line of a 5k.

Girls on the Run is a great program that helps build young girls confidence through running. I volunteered as a running buddy for the race that happened 5÷17÷08. If you are concerned about the amount of time it takes, don’t. It probably took about four hours of my time — including travel to and from… but it was worth days! The practice was about an hour, and the run was a couple hours. It was so rewarding to see how excited my buddy was to cross the finish line, and her moms gigantic hug and thank you left a lasting impression. It really means a lot to the girls and it is really fun to be like a kid again. Plus they got me fully up to date on middle school gossip, the Jonas Brothers and their life goals. It was a great experience, and I totally recommend it.

I absolutely LOVE the mission of this program! I’m volunteering in my first season as an assistant coach for GOTR Silicon Valley. I started late in the season, about two weeks ago, and its amazing the transformation I’ve already seen in the girls we coach. I am very much looking forward to our 5k race in May. I also plan on volunteering as a Running Buddy for the 5k race with GOTR Sacramento!

Our Lodge helped sponsor the Lollipop run this fall and we gathered a few extra volunteers for the event. I ran as a running buddy and had a great time! It was a beautiful day for a run. My school had several running buddies not show up (SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!!!) so we had to double up. The challenge was one girl wanted to run, the other wanted to walk. We split the difference most of the time.
It would have been cool to have a post-​race ceremony or something, but it is a non-​profit and on a tight budget so I understand there are limitations. And frankly — the girls could have cared less — they finished the race and headed straight for the snacks and games!
This is great idea and organization — the curriculum is strong and I really wish there had been something like this when I was a girl.

«G — O — T — R, That’s where all the cool girls are!»
Please … I didn’t make it up. The group of 14 3^rd&4^th-grade girls I coached did. If you like to run, if you believe in being a healthy role model for young girls, and if you can spare a couple of hours 2 afternoons a week, please volunteer to coach for Girls On The Run.
This organization really does a lot with very little. (When the Executive Director had moved on, it was pretty much a one-​woman show with a lot of volunteers.) The national organization was started by Molly Barker (former triathlete, and also former alcoholic with an eating disorder) to help prevent girls from going down some of the self-​destructive paths she did. The program centers around ‘games’ that involve running & have a daily theme (examples: keeping promises, avoiding bullies, good sportsmanship, the media’s portrayal of women, community involvement, etc.), and it culminates in a 5K or 1-​mile fun run.
Plenty of opportunities to volunteer as a coach or as a «running buddy» (think motivational cheerleader, rather than pro runner) on the day of the run.

i love this organization… in THEORY. The reality is, they are a bit disorganized and chaotic. I did the Lollipop run in the Spring of 2007 as a Running Buddy. I would have like to have a little bit more contact from the organizers prior to the event. Some extra sign-​age would be nice too. I was assigned to a school where we had more girls than adult running buddies, so we had to try to double up, or run in groups. Unfortunately, «pacing» was not in their vocabulary. The girls wanted to run with those they were friends with, rather than those who ran at the same speed.
However, it’s a good cause, and if you are not an agro Type A, you will probably not get irked by the lack of communication.
ETA — 10÷12÷07. I was contacted by GOTR and asked to amend my review. I still stand by my original comments posted above. If you are interested in working with this organization, then I believe you should know what you are getting yourself into.

The Lollipop Run Rules. Just completed it this past weekend with my 3^rd grade «buddy» Nyla. She won the whole FREAKIN thing running a full mile in 8:44 (and then promptly throwing up… LOL!) There’s nothing like seeing all of these adorable cuties running the finish line with more support and love than you can imagine.
It’s a great way to encourage, health, wellness, and positive living early in these young one’s lives. Unfortunately, of the 12 girl that participated in the practice session, only 5 showed up (which is kind of sad considering some of the excuses we got from the parents), but that just meant that every girl had at least two enthusiastic coaches.
Even if you can’t run, it’s well worth it just to come out and cheer these amazing girls on!
GO NYLA GO!

Girls on the Run is So Much Fun! Girls on the Run San Francisco is a great organization to work with! The volunteer coaches have an extensive support system. Susan, the Program Director is incredibly detail oriented and thorough, never leaving a missing link. As an office support volunteer, a former Running Buddy and a current Coach, I enjoy supporting a program that works with young girls at the prime of their to help them build confidence and self-​esteem. Working with these girls has also been so much fun, they show me how young women are capable of achieving their goals. I’m truly impressed by Girls on the Run and how Susan manages to make it happen as smoothly as it does.

Did the Lollipop Run in December 2006. Totally worth it. Unfortunately my running buddy student didn’t show but I paired with another girl whose running partner didn’t show. Things were a little disorganized pre-​race but everything straightened out. The gray sky threatened to unleash some fury but it didn’t rain until after the race. Beautiful run around Crissy Field.
Next race is coming up in May 2007. Look into it! And despite the name, men can be running buddies too!!!

One of my favorite charities and causes. Girls on the Run is an after school running program for girls 3−8^th grade to help build self-​esteem and promote a positive, healthy life. Coaches meet with the girls 2X/​week for the duration of the program and the program ends with the girls running a 3−5k race in Golden Gate Park. More than 50% of the programs offerred in San Francisco are in underprivledged areas. You will be impressed by the girls and the women involved in this organization!