San Diego CA— In accordance with California and national public health guidance, local nonprofit Girls on the Run San Diego (GOTRSD) made the difficult decision to pause all in-person activities for the remainder of the spring season. However, they aren’t at the finish line just yet: they’re employing three key strategies to keep their season going strong.
Girls on the Run San Diego—an organization that offers programming to strengthen third- to eighth-grade girls’ social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills—usually concludes its season with a celebratory 5K event. After careful consideration of all options, the group decided to transition all in-person programming at individual sites and the 5K to virtual practices and events.
The 14-year-old nonprofit has adapted quickly to continue to deliver on its mission to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident. “Even though we’re unable to gather for lessons or the 5K events, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide opportunities for girls to be physically active, emotionally healthy, and engaged with the core values of our programs,” said Kasey MacNair, Executive Director at GOTRSD.
Girls on the Run San Diego and other councils across the nation have mobilized three different strategies to drive their mission to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident.

1. GOTR at Home: For existing participants of this disrupted season, they are providing fun and interactive lessons that girls and families can do at home. These GOTR at Home lessons aim to provide girls of all abilities with an opportunity to learn and grow, just as they would have at their scheduled practices. GOTR at Home lessons are available in an easy-to-follow written format so girls and their grown-ups can participate together and as a YouTube video series specifically for girls.
2. #GOTRGotYourBack: Girls on the Run wants to serve as a source of inspiration and support to all of its stakeholders during this challenging time. Through the #GOTRGotYourBack outreach initiative, the goal is to provide its audiences with content, resources and activities to support their physical, social and emotional health. While the GOTR at Home program resources are intended only for families of GOTR girls who are currently enrolled, this digital campaign offers alternative tips, activities, and mini Girls on the Run lessons for all families, volunteers, and followers to use and enjoy. Follow the hashtag #GOTRGotYourBack on Facebook and Instagram.
3. The Girls on the Run 5K experience is the culminating event of each season and is key to celebrating the girls’ accomplishments. Despite not having the large group celebratory 5k events, GOTRSD is thrilled to host a Girls on the Run Virtual 5K. The virtual 5K event is similar to a traditional running event except the participants will complete it on their own, in their own location and in their own amount of time. Registration for community members is now open. Follow Girls on the Run San Diego on Facebook, Instagram and website [www.gotrsd.org/5K] for updates and information about the virtual 5K.

MacNair added, “Through these efforts, Girls on the Run San Diego is working now more than ever to offer our girls and community a break from the fear and uncertainty they may be feeling. GOTR at Home, #GOTRGotYourBack, and Girls on the Run Virtual 5K are giving girls and our communities the opportunity to connect with others, find helpful resources, be inspired and motivated, or just simply experience a bright spot in their day.”

About Girls on the Run San Diego

Girls on the Run San Diego is a nonprofit organization and an independent council within Girls on the Run International. Founded in 2006 with 15 girls, GOTRSD now has served more than 9,000 girls from more than 150 unique schools throughout San Diego County. Since its inception, GOTRSD has hosted twenty-six 5K events for the San Diego community.

About Girls on the Run International

Girls on the Run is a nonprofit organization with local councils in all 50 states. Founded in 1996 with 13 girls, Girls on the Run has now served over 2 million girls. Over the course of the program, girls in 3rd-8th grade develop essential social, emotional and physical skills to successfully navigate life experiences. The program culminates with girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K event. With the largest 5K series by number of events in the world, Girls on the Run hosts more than 330 5Ks per year. Girls on the Run is included as a top research-based program in a Social-Emotional Learning Guide developed by researchers at Harvard University and has been recognized by the National Afterschool Association (NAA) as one of the most influential after-school programs. Girls on the Run is offered in more than 13,000 across the US. Visit www.gotrsd.org to learn how to get involved in your community.