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No! Girls on the Run provides the training, curriculum and supplies needed to safely lead a team for a season! You simply need to be a motivating role model for your team. Many of our coaches participate in their first 5K alongside their team!

No. Here's our policy:

• Our Head Coaches can be female or male.
• Head Coaches have to be 21 years or older.
• All other coaches and assistant coaches must be at least 18 years of age.

Head coaches must have CPR and First Aid certification on file by the first session and be present at every practice (Training can be provided at no cost if needed).

Yes! Community coaches are individuals not directly affiliated with a school or community location who support the Girls on the Run mission. Community coaches are placed according to their geographic location and their availability at sites that need additional coaches.

No! We provide you with training, curriculum and supplies – everything needed to coach a safe, successful season! You should not incur any personal costs to provide the program to your team.

Our council provides each program location with the curriculum and supplies needed to facilitate the season. We will contact coaches to arrange pick-up for their team’s materials.  

Coach training includes online self-paced training and an in-person training sessions available in South Bend and Elkhart. New coach training takes place in January and February.

Coaches attend and lead 75 to 90-minute practices twice per week for 8 weeks. Typical commitment is 3-4 hours per week. To provide a consistent experience to participants, your commitment is crucial to prepare and collaborate with co-coaches to facilitate fun, successful lessons.

Teams may practice at designated parks, recreation and community centers and schools. The location and times are approved prior to participant registration each season. Practice times are typically set in the late afternoon/early evening hours (to accommodate participants after school). 

Coaches may indicate where they would like to coach, but we can't always guarantee placement. Please plan on indicating more than one preference when registering. If coaches do not have a preference, we will assign them to a location in need.

Absolutely! The more, the merrier! Each Girls on the Run team is led by three or more trained coaches. If you would like to coach at an existing site with another applicant, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.