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
- TEGNA Foundation and WUSA9 announce Washington, DC community grants
Wed Jul 11 2018, wusa9.com
Girls on the Run of NOVA was one of 7 nonprofits to receive a grant from the TEGNA Foundation.
- Community Foundation awards $259,260 to Northern Virginia programs
Tue Apr 24 2018, Inside NOVA
Girls on the Run of NOVA was one of 26 local groups awarded a 2018 Community Investment Grant by The Community Foundation for NOVA.
- Girls on the Run to host its first Loudoun 5K
Wed Nov 22 2017, Loudoun Times-Mirror
For the first time in Girls on the Run's history, the organization will host one of its signature 5K races in Loudoun.
- Run Girls, Run Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia All About Confidence
Thu Jun 1 2017, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce Business Voice June 2017
"Confidence is really the headline for us. We focus on the girls building inner strength and confidence."
- Women's Issues Film Festival Coming To Fairfax
Thu Mar 16 2017, FairfaxNews.com
LUNAFEST, the fundraising film festival dedicated to promoting awareness about women's issues will be hosted by Girls on the Run of NOVA...
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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