NORTHAMPTON — Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts announced the return of its end-of-season 5K celebration on Saturday, June 6 at UMass Amherst. This non-competitive, family-friendly 5K serves as the culminating end-of-season event for local Girls on the Run participants, as well as a community gathering focused on fun, connection, and empowerment.

Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in grades 3-8. During the 10-week program, girls participate in lessons that build confidence, foster healthy relationships, and encourage community service while they prepare to complete a 5K.

This spring season, Girls on the Run has 1,100 participants on 73 teams throughout all four Western Mass. counties, with 295 volunteer coaches who bring the curriculum to life.

Participants learn many important life skills through the carefully designed curriculum. One participant wrote, “I like Girls on the Run because it makes you more confident when you’re talking to others, and it helps you control your emotions when you’re feeling sad or anxious.”

The run starts at 10:30 a.m., but the group warmup will begin at 10 a.m., with participants arriving for fun events starting at 9 a.m. Early arrival is recommended as more than 3,000 people are expected.

Participation in the 5K event is open to the public, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts. The registration cost is $25 for adults and $10 for youth under age 12 and includes a 5K shirt for the first 1,000 registered. Day-of-event registration opens at 8:30 a.m.

Girls on the Run is also seeking volunteers to support the 5K celebration. The council needs volunteers to help with setup and cleanup, on-course water stations, sideline cheering, Fun Zone activity stations, registration, post-race food and water, and parking.

For more information about the event, how to register, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.girlsontherunwesternma.org.

SPRINGFIELD — Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts will host its annual fall 5K event on Sunday, Nov. 23 at Western New England University and is expecting more than 3,000 people to turn out.

Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in grades 3-8. During the eight-week, 16-lesson program, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections, and encourage community service while they prepare for an end-of-season celebratory 5K event.

This fall season, Girls on the Run has 775 participants in 52 sites in all four Western Mass. counties, with 210 volunteer coaches that bring the curriculum to life — the largest fall season since the start of the organization 10 years ago.

The run starts at 10:30 a.m., but the group warm-up will begin at 10 a.m., with participants arriving for fun events at 9:30 a.m. Participation in the 5K event is open to the public, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts.

Registration cost is $25 for adults and $10 for youth under age 12 and includes a 5K shirt for the first 1,000 registered. Early arrival is suggested. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 23 for day-of registration.

The 5K event will also include a food drive. Participants can bring a non-perishable food item to the 5K, and the collection will go to a local food pantry.

Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts is also looking for volunteers for the event. For more information about the event, how to register, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.girlsontherunwesternma.org.

NORTHAMPTON — Girls on the Run (GOTR) Western Massachusetts will host its annual Sneaker Soirée on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Springfield Country Club in West Springfield.

Dressed in their party attire and favorite sneakers, guests will enjoy an evening of food, fun, and inspiration. The event will feature a silent auction with items and experiences from local supporters, hors d’oeuvres and cash bar, a wine pull, and an opportunity to hear from GOTR participants and coaches. All event proceeds will support program scholarships so more girls can experience the transformative impact of Girls on the Run.

Tickets cost $50 per person or $400 for a table of eight. More information and tickets are available at www.girlsontherunwesternma.org/sneaker-soiree. The silent auction will be available online to event attendees and the public starting Oct. 4. Item donations are welcome and should be directed to Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts staff.

The presenting Sponsor is the Jamrog Group, and other event sponsors include Specialty Bolt & Screw, Burkhart Pizzanelli P.C, Meyers Brothers Kalicka P.C., and Martin Wohl and Marisa Labozzetta.

Over the last ten years, GOTR Western Massachusetts has grown from 90 girls on six teams to more than 1,900 girls on 85 teams in 2025. It has served more than 13,000 girls in all four Western Mass. counties since its start.

Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in grades 3-8. This fall season will introduce a newly updated curriculum for coaches to guide and facilitate lessons for their teams. The eight-week season will feature 16 lessons curated to build life skills around timely and age-appropriate topics such as managing emotions, positive self-talk, navigating friendships, and more.

The season culminates with teams completing a community impact project and a celebratory 5K. The fall 5K will take place on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Western New England University.

NORTHAMPTON — Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts will host its season-ending 5K event on Sunday, Nov. 24 at Westfield State University, and is expecting between 3,000 and 3,500 people to attend.

Girls on the Run is a physical-activity-based, positive youth-development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in grades 3-8. During the 10-week program, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections, and encourage community service while they prepare for an end-of-season, celebratory 5K event.

This fall season, Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts is celebrating it’s 10th year. It has served more than 11,000 girls since its start in 2015. This fall, the program boasts 750 participants in 56 sites around all four Western Mass. counties, with 250 volunteer coaches that bring the curriculum to life.

Participants learn many important life skills throughout the lessons. One participant wrote, “I like Girls on the Run because it makes you more confident when you’re talking to others, and it helps you control your emotions when you’re feeling sad or anxious.”

This 5K is the culmination of a 10-week, 20-lesson social-emotional program, bringing together all participants, coaches, running buddies, and families. The run starts at 10:30 a.m., but the group warmup will begin at 10 a.m., with participants arriving for fun events at 9 a.m.

Participation in the 5K event is open to the public, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts. Registration costs $25 for adults and $10 for youth under age 12, and includes an event 5K shirt for the first 700 registered. Early arrival is suggested. Registration opens at 9 a.m.

Girls on the Run is also looking for volunteers for this event. For more information about the event, how to register, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.girlsontherunwesternma.org.

NORTHAMPTON — Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts (GOTR WMA) will host its second annual Sneaker Soirée on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Springfield Country Club in West Springfield.

Dressed in their party attire and favorite sneakers, guests will enjoy an evening of food, fun, and inspiration. The event will feature a silent auction with items and experiences donated by local supporters, hors d’oeuvres and cash bar, a wine pull, and an opportunity to hear from Girls on the Run participants and coaches. All event proceeds will support program scholarships so more girls can experience the transformative impact of Girls on the Run.

Tickets cost $40 per person or $300 for a table of eight. More information and tickets are available at www.girlsontherunwesternma.org/sneaker-soiree. The silent auction will be available online to event attendees and the public starting on Sept. 28. All item donations are welcome and should be directed to GOTR WMA staff.

The nonprofit thanks presenting sponsor the Jamrog Group for its commitment and support, as well as other event sponsors Specialty Bolt & Screw, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., and Neill & Neill Insurance Agency.

“At the Jamrog Group, we recognize the incredible impact of Girls on the Run in empowering young girls to build self-confidence, foster healthy relationships, and stay active,” said Amy Jamrog and Jessica Holloway, partners at the Jamrog Group. “We are proud to support GOTR and contribute to a cause that positively shapes the lives of girls and young women throughout Western Massachusetts.”

The Sneaker Soiree kicks off GOTR WMA’s 10th anniversary. Over the last 10 years, the organization has grown from 90 girls on six teams in fall 2015 to more than 1,800 girls on 85 teams in 2023. GOTR WMA has served more than 10,000 girls in all four Western Mass. counties since its start.

Girls on the Run is a physical-activity-based, positive youth-development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in grades 3-8. This fall season will introduce a newly updated curriculum for coaches to guide and facilitate lessons for their teams. The eight-week season will feature 16 lessons curated to build life skills around timely and age-appropriate topics such as managing emotions, positive self-talk, navigating friendships, and more. The season culminates with teams completing a community-impact project and a celebratory 5K on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 10:30 a.m. at Westfield State University.

“I absolutely love when a parent or coach tells me about how the program has impacted their girl and influenced their family or school community to be more active or inclusive,” said Alison Berman, council director of Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts. “We’ve impacted a lot of people with this program since our start in 2015. The Sneaker Soirée, our primary fundraising event, will support our efforts to bring the Girls on the Run program to as many girls as possible and provide financial assistance to anyone who needs it.”

SPRINGFIELD — Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts will host its annual spring 5K on Saturday, June 8 at Western New England University, an event expected to draw 3,000 to 3,500 people.

Girls on the Run is a physical-activity-based, positive youth-development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in third to eighth grade. During the 10-week program, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections, and encourage community service while they prepare for an end-of-season, celebratory 5K event.

This spring season, Girls on the Run has 970 participants in 67 sites around all four Western Mass. counties, with 270 volunteer coaches that bring the curriculum to life. Participants learn many important life skills throughout the lessons. One participant wrote, “I like Girls on the Run because it makes you more confident when you’re talking to others, and it helps you control your emotions when you’re feeling sad or anxious.”

This 5K is the culmination of a 10-week, 20-lesson, social-emotional program, bringing together all participants, coaches, running buddies, and families. This season, Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts served its 10,000 girl since it started.

The run starts at 10:30 a.m., but the group warm-up will begin at 10 a.m., with participants arriving for fun events at 9 a.m. Participation in the 5K event is open to the public, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts. The registration cost is $25 for adults and $10 for youth under 12 and includes an event 5K shirt for the first 700 registered. Early arrival is suggested. Registration opens at 9 a.m.

Girls on the Run is also looking for volunteers for this event. For more information about the event, how to register, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.girlsontherunwesternma.org.

SPRINGFIELD — Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts will host its annual spring 5K event on Saturday, June 3 at Western New England University and expects between 3,500 and 4,000 people to attend.

Girls on the Run is a physical-activity-based, positive youth-development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls grades 3-8. During two 10-week programs each year, in the fall and spring, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections, and encourage community service while they prepare for an end-of-season, celebratory 5K event.

This spring season of Girls on the Run included 1,030 participants in 75 sites around Western Mass., with 285 volunteer coaches bringing the curriculum to life. The run starts at 10:30 a.m., but the group warm-up will begin at 10 a.m., and participants will arrive for fun events at 9:30 a.m.

Participation in the 5K event is open to the public, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts. The Registration cost is $30 for adults and $10 for youth, and includes an event shirt.

Early arrival is suggested. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Girls on the Run is also looking for volunteers for this event. For more information about the event, how to register, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.girlsontherunwesternma.org.

NORTHAMPTON — Girls on the Run (GOTR) Western Massachusetts is preparing for its celebratory 5K run on Saturday, Nov. 14. With modifications in place and close attention paid to current Massachusetts and GOTR guidelines, some teams will be able to run their 5K at their site, in person, and also attend the virtual 5K, while community members are encouraged to participate in a virtual 5K to support the organization.

Traditionally the fall GOTR 5K is held at Smith College, where all teams, coaches, and families come together to celebrate the girls’ achievements throughout the program. During the 20-lesson curriculum, which was shorted to 16 lessons this season due to the pandemic, girls learn social and emotional skills, such as how to manage emotions, establish boundaries, develop confidence, and resolve conflict — all skills that girls can use now and in the future to cope with life challenges. These lessons help to create resiliency among participants and are life skills that youth in the community can use during this difficult and unique time.

This season, thanks to collaboration with local parks and recreation departments and YMCAs, including the Hampshire Regional YMCA, 14 teams and just over 140 girls are participating in the fall 2020 season — fewer than the typical season, which averages 75 teams and 1,400, but GOTR leaders are pleased to have been able to successfully provide in-person and virtual programing to girls at a time when they need it the most. This was due in part to program modifications that included smaller team sizes, a shortened program, and social-distancing modifications to activities to keep girls and their coaches safe.

The GOTR virtual 5K is open to the community and is offered to additional family members and community runners who wish to participate. Registration is $20 and includes a downloadable run bib and training schedule, financial assistance is available as needed. Register at www.girlsontherunwesternma.

NORTHAMPTON — Girls on the Run (GOTR) Western Massachusetts is launching its sixth fall season beginning next week. GOTR is a leader in delivering evidence-based life-skills curriculum to girls of all abilities. Through more than 75 sites across the Western Mass. region, it has served more than 5,400 youth since it was founded in 2015.

For the 2020-21 school year, GOTR Western Massachusetts is offering a variety of programs to accommodate the changing and unpredictable school year due to the pandemic. Registration for the season is open at www.girlsontherunwesternma.org. Financial assistance is available to all participants, and no one is turned away for financial need.

“Our staff and coaches are ready to bring critical social-emotional programming to Western Mass. girls at a time when they need it the most,” said Alison Berman, council director. “We have adapted based on the recommendations of local health officials and decisions of local governments and school districts. The three options that we are offering — in-person, hybrid, and virtual — make it possible for girls to stay active despite the pandemic. Our fluid model will work completely in-person, completely virtually, or can seamlessly transition between the two as needed.”

GOTR programming is being delivered, as in the past, with enhanced safety measures including physical-distancing modifications and smaller teams. Should sites close, the in-person programs will be easily transitioned to a virtual model, with lessons that mirror the in-person program. This fluid programming model ensures that participants will experience the social, emotional, and physical outcomes of the program while allowing local teams to adjust to changes in school and community health guidelines throughout the season.

Virtual programming is also available for families who would prefer that option. Virtual fall programming is delivered by trained coaches in a safe virtual space, with lessons that mirror the in-person Girls on the Run or Heart & Sole program. Virtual programming will include physical activity and social-emotional learning, providing girls with an opportunity to build meaningful connections with their peers and caring adult role models.

“Together, we will find a way to motivate girls to nurture their physical and emotional health, no matter the circumstances,” Berman said.

Girls on the Run is looking for a few more volunteers for their fall season. Volunteer coaches will receive the training and materials required to provide girls a safe, trauma-sensitive space to learn valuable life lessons and be active. Coaches do not need to be runners.

NORTHAMPTON — Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts unveiled the Power Up Activity Kit to help keep Western Mass. girls active and healthy through the summer while inspiring creativity, encouraging movement, and teaching new skills. Girls on the Run is a leader in developing and delivering life-changing programs for girls through more than 75 sites across Western Mass. and has served more than 5,400 girls since it was founded in 2015.

After the cancelation of schools, implementation of social distancing, and the restrictions around large public events due to the coronavirus pandemic, the nonprofit adapted quickly to alter its spring season to continue to deliver on its mission to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident. This new offering also delivers on that mission.

“Providing girls with opportunities to develop empathy, build resiliency, and identify and understand their values, choices, and emotions are important now more than ever before,” said Alison Berman, council director of Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts. “It is never too early for girls to learn how to put these important skills into practice. This kit will help girls move, laugh, and grow, and in the process find their inner girl power.”

The at-home kit includes 50 activities to fuel girls’ mind, body, and spirit that emphasize the important connection between physical and emotional health. Each activity helps girls learn important skills, such as how to cope when things get difficult, demonstrate care for self and others, and practice positivity. From silly starters to fun movement games and challenges, the activities were designed to get girls to laugh, create, and grow.

Available at www.girlsontherunwesternma.org, the kit costs $49 and includes the Power Up Activity Book, an exclusive GRL PWR T-shirt, a physical-activity training plan, a completion certificate, and a few other fun surprises, delivered directly to each girl’s doorstep.

The nonprofit organization is also raising funds to provide sponsored kits to girls within the community. Visit the website to make a donation.

“For five years, we have always done everything we can to support all girls as they navigate adolescence,” Berman said. “This kit will help her grow her confidence and realize the potential she has to power up.”