Each year, GOTR NOVA helps nearly 5,000 girls in grades 3-8 develop the confidence and character they need to become strong, healthy, and ready for any challenge. At 142 sites across Northern Virginia, trained volunteer coaches lead girls through a 10-week interactive, research-based curriculum that creatively integrates running and culminates in a non-competitive 5k event. Each session, held before or after school, combines a developmentally appropriate topic with a significant workout: girls build physical endurance while gaining skills related to self-awareness, self-care, healthy relationships, helping others, and more. Aid packages, program fee discounts, and active recruitment in lower income communities ensure that all girls can participate, regardless of financial need. The result: GOTR participants demonstrate long-term improvements in confidence, physical activity, life skills, and more. A track record of 65,000 runners in 19 years is beyond impressive. Let’s cheer them on.

COVID-19 Update: When Governor Northam announced on March 23rd that schools across Virginia would be closed for the remainder of the academic year, hundreds of teams had just completed their second week of practice. The curriculum was modified, online lesson plans and interactive YouTube videos were created, activity challenge cards and 5K training plans were developed – all leading up to a celebratory end-of-season virtual 5K & Activity Challenge Week and a 5K Your Way event. In Fall 2020 the work continues to go on virtually; GOTR NOVA is committed to being a resource for families and schools looking to ensure the social and emotional well-being of girls.

Headquarters: VA-Fairfax County

Where They Operate: VA-Arlington County; VA-Fairfax County; VA-Loudoun County; VA-Prince William County; VA-City of Alexandria; VA-City of Fairfax; VA-City of Falls Church

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17)

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Women/Girls

Schools They Work In: Antietam; Arcola; Arlington Science Focus; Armstrong; Ashlawn; Barcroft; Belle View; Blessed Sacrament; Bonnie Brae; Brookfield; Buffalo Trail; Bull Run; Burgundy Farm Country Day; Bush Hill; Buzz Aldrin; Camelot; Campbell ; Canterbury Woods; Cardinal Forest ; Cardinal Ridge; Catoctin; Cedar Point; Centre Ridge; Centreville; Chesterbrook; Churchill Road; Columbia ; Colvin Run ; Cool Spring; Countryside; Crossfield; Cunningham Park ; Daniels Run; Discovery; Dogwood; Douglas MacArthur; Drew Model ; Fairfax Villa; Farmwell Station; Flint Hill; Floris ; Forest Edge ; Fox Mill; Francis C. Hammond ; Franklin Sherman; Fredrick Douglass; Freedom Hill; Gesher Jewish Day School; Glenkirk; Greenbriar East; Greenbriar West; Gunston; Hayfield; Hillside; Horizon; Hybla Valley ; Island Creek; James K. Polk; Jamestown; Jennie Dean; Kenmore ; Kent Gardens; Kilby ; Lake Anne ; Lane; Langley School; Laurel Hill; Laurel Ridge; Legacy; Lemon Road ; Liberty; Little Run; Loch Lomond; London Towne; Long Branch; Lorton Station; Loudoun Country Day; Louise Archer; Lovettsville; Lowes Island; Lutie Lewis Coates; Lutie Lewis Coates; Lyles-Crouch; Marsteller Middle; Martin Luther King, Jr. ; Marumsco Hills ; Mary Ellen Henderson Middle; Mary Williams; Matthew Maury (partnership with Campagna Kids); Mayfield Intermediate; McKinley; Merritt Academy; Montclair; Montessori School of Mclean; Navy; Newington Forest ; Nottingham; Oak Hill ; Oak View; Oakton; Oakwood Middle; Occoquan; Old Bridge; Olde Creek; Orange Hunt; Patrick Henry ; Pattie; Poplar Tree; Potomac School; Potomac View; Potowmack ; Providence; Reston Montessori; Riverside ; Rolling Ridge; Rolling Valley ; Rosa Lee Carter; Rosa Parks; Samuel Tucker (partnership with Campagna Kids); Saratoga Middle; Shrevewood; Signal Hill; Silverbrook; Sinclair; St. Agnes ; St. James; St. Leo the Great; St. Louis ; St. Mark ; St. Theresa ; St. Veronica; Stenwood; Stratford Landing ; Sycolin Creek; T. Clay Wood; Taylor; Terra Centre ; The Key School; Thomas Jefferson; Thurgood Marshall; Tuckahoe; Vaughan; Wakefield Forest; Waples Mill ; Waynewood ; Weems ; West Gate; Westbriar ; White Oaks; Williamsburg; Yorkshire

Awards & Recognition

Fairfax County Volunteer Service Award for Group, 2016
Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit of the Year, 2013
Top prize for Capacity Building at Girls on the Run of Summit, 2013

Girls on the Run International received national recognition as a Rodale 100 honoree in the “Fitness with a Focus” category, 2016

Press

Budget (FY2014)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for Girls on the Run NOVA is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

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