Plano, TX April 26, 2025 -Last week, Girls on the DFW a local nonprofit that empowers young girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident, hosted 700 girls and their family members, coaches, volunteers, and other community members for its 5K event. The 3.1 miles-long course in Plano served as a celebratory, culminating moment of the Girls on the Run (GOTR) DFW season.
“Our 5K event was truly a celebration of the girls’ experiences and lessons learned during the 10 week season,” said Allison Gnad council director of GOTR DFW. “The girls became more confident, more resilient, and stronger with every practice, and it was so exciting to watch them embrace their limitless potential as they crossed the finish line.”
GOTR DFW is one of more than 160 councils in the Girls on the Run network which stretches across the United States and into Canada. These councils share a deep commitment to supporting girls’ mental health and physical activity during their most formative years. This support is critical. According to survey findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 57% of U.S. teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, representing a nearly 60% increase and the highest level reported over the past decade. The CDC also reported that only 24% of 6- to 17-year-olds participate in at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity every day. Girls on the Run helps to reverse this trend with its nationally recognized, evidence-based curriculum. The 5K is a culmination of that program.
This spring season, GOTR DFW served 20 teams and 250 total girls across DFW. More than 75 trained volunteer coaches facilitated the curriculum to equip participants with the physical and emotional skills necessary to carry them over the 5K finish line—and beyond.
For more information about GOTR DFW including how to register a girl or get involved in future seasons, visit www.gotrdfw.org.
About Girls on the Run DFW
Founded in 2005, Girls on the Run (GOTR) DFW offers after-school empowerment programs designed for girls in 3rd to 8th grades. The nonprofit helps girls in DFW build confidence, increase their level of physical activity, and learn essential life skills. Facilitated by trained volunteer coaches, the research-based curriculum explores core topics relevant to 8- to 13-year-olds, including managing emotions, expressing empathy, and standing up for ourselves and others. The program includes a Community Impact Project and culminates with a 5K Celebration. GOTR DFW is one of more than 160 councils a part of Girls on the Run International (GOTRI). Since GOTRI was founded in 1996, this national movement has served more than 2.5 million girls in all 50 states and Canada. Visit www.gotrdfw.org to learn more.
