FAQ

Girls on the Run is an after-school program that combines exercise, education, mentoring and a good dose of “Girl Power” to promote healthy lifestyles and self-respect among third- through sixth-grade girls. An innovative, interactive curriculum incorporates lessons on teamwork, communication, health, self-awareness, goal-setting, body image and standing up for yourself with running games, so participants get much more than exercise. The girls also train together to walk or run in a 5K (3.1 mile) event.

Both. GOTR-Nebraska is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established in 2003. We are fully self-funded and pay an annual licensing fee to Girls on the Run International, our parent organization based in Charlotte, N.C. GOTR International oversees a network of 180 GOTR councils across the United States and Canada.

GOTR-Nebraska served 1,500 girls in Lincoln, Omaha, Kearney, Hastings, Norfolk, Fremont, Blair and surrounding communities in the 2010-11 academic year.

Most GOTR-Nebraska teams operate in the spring, from early March to mid-May. A limited fall season is offered to select teams that meet certain criteria.

Teams meet twice a week after school during the season. Teams do not meet on days that school is not in session or on early-release days.

Meetings run from 60 to 75 minutes, depending on circumstances at each particular site. Check the schedule for details.

Each meeting focuses on a specific topic, which is incorporated into the activities and games planned for the lesson. The coaches begin the lesson by introducing and explaining the day’s topic. The girls then warm up their muscles with a brief interactive running activity or game. Then, the girls stretch and further discuss how the activity related to the topic. Next, the girls perform the workout, which primarily consists of running laps but also integrates the topic of the day. For example, the girls may have to answer questions about the day’s topic each time they complete a lap. The lesson ends with stretching, reviewing what the girls learned that day, a group cheer and a snack.

GOTR-Nebraska coaches are screened and trained volunteers who want to make the world better for girls by promoting a healthy lifestyle and attitude.

GOTR-Nebraska relies on an army of positive, can-do volunteers to do a variety of jobs. Opportunities include coaching the program, helping with the 5K, becoming SoleMates charity runners, and other projects. Visit the website to learn more.

No. Girls on the Run is for everyone  — even those who don’t like to run. The program is noncompetitive and focuses on developing a healthy attitudes and habits. Girls are encouraged to walk or run the laps during the workouts and progress at their own speed in an ultra-positive environment.

The base tuition fee is $75. Financial aid is offered for those with legitimate, documented need.

GOTR-Nebraska is committed to ensuring the program is affordable and accessible to all girls, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. The base tuition rate is half the nationally recommended fee of $150 per girl, and our council’s cost to deliver the program is well below the national average of $165. Further assistance is available for girls with genuine need, and we offer a financial matching program for Title 1 schools. We are committed to raise funds so that every girl who wants to participate can. Visit the website to sponsor a girl or make a tax-deductible donation.

GOTR-Nebraska will refund the the full amount of tuition minus a $25 processing fee if the refund is requested in writing 10 days before the season begins. No refunds are given after that time. Refund requests MUST be made in writing — no exceptions.

GOTR-Nebraska presents at least one GOTR-oriented 5K each season. Current GOTR participants don’t have to pay the entry fee, but they MUST register by the deadline to participate. No exceptions. Family and friends may enter the 5K for a discounted registration fee. The number of non-GOTR participants at the 5Ks is limited and entries are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Proceeds support Girls on the Run of Nebraska programming. The 5Ks are one of the organization’s primary fundraisers. NO unregistered participants are allowed on the course for safety and liability reasons.

3.1 miles

It’s the most popular distance for road races. It’s long enough to be a challenge to many accomplished runners, but it’s short enough to be accessible to most reasonably active people.

Running/walking 3.1 miles is a reasonable and highly attainable goal for most young people. Children’s bodies are suited for endurance exercise, especially with the gradual training schedule and adult supervision practiced with GOTR. Numerous studies have shown that children show many positive physiological benefits. And, keep in mind, the girls are not pressured to run, but are encouraged to run/walk at their own pace according to their fitness level.

Non-GOTR entries are accepted, but they may be limited. You MUST  be a REGISTERED participant with a race bib. In the running community, people that jump in along the trail with no official registration are known as “bandits”. A lot of expense goes into hosting a 5K. Jumping in without registering amounts to theft of services. More importantly, those with no signed waiver put GOTR-Nebraska at considerable liability risk. Finally, space on the trail is a consideration for safety and supply purposes so it’s important that we’re able to regulate the number of participants on the course. In previous seasons, there have been times when parents/outside entries were not permitted for safety reasons due to the limited capacity of the course.

Not at all. Each girl runs or walks her own race at her own pace. Some will run part of the race and take walk breaks along the way. Others might walk the whole race.

Pace varies among girls. Those who walk the entire distance will finish in about an hour. The quickest runners finish in fewer than 25 minutes. Most girls complete the course with a combination of running and walking and generally finish in 35 to 45 minutes.

Establish your objectives for the day as 1) finishing the 5K and 2) enjoying the experience. The GOTR 5K is NOT about how fast you can run. It’s about setting a goal and seeing it to the finish.

No. GOTR is not about the time, it’s about having a good time! Chip timing is where each runner is issued a chip to attach to their shoelace in order to track their individual time from start to finish. The chip is activated when you step on a mat at the start/finish line. Not only does chip timing conflict with our GOTR philosophy, it is expensive to provide and far beyond our limited budget. We do have a race clock, but it’s there as a guideline, not to keep anyone’s official race time.

While we like people to stay around to cheer in the final runner, we know that’s not always possible. If at all possible, please stay to make the last runner feel as celebrated as every other runner that comes across the finish line.