Blog

In 1996, 13 girls gathered in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the very first season of Girls on the Run. What started as a program focused on building confidence and connection has grown into a movement that has served nearly 2.9 million girls across North America. For participants, one event has become the joyful culmination of every season: the Girls on the Run 5K Celebration.

Thirty years ago, Molly Barker gathered with 13 girls in Charlotte, N.C., for the first season of Girls on the Run. That first practice has grown into an international movement, serving more than 2.8 million girls through 165 councils across the United States and Canada.

As we celebrate 30 years and look ahead to the future, Girls on the Run CEO Elizabeth Kunz is sitting down with some of the people who have helped shape the organization over the past three decades for Behind the Mission, a special conversation series reflecting on where we started, how we’ve grown, and what comes next.

For the first conversation, Kunz sat down with Girls on the Run founder Molly Barker to revisit those first practices in Charlotte, reflect on the organization’s growth, and talk about what she hopes the next 30 years will hold for Girls on the Run and the millions of girls still to come.

One afternoon in 1996, 13 girls gathered in Charlotte, N.C., for the first Girls on the Run practice. There was no national organization yet. No 5K series. No network of councils bringing the program to communities across the country. There was just an idea and a group of girls willing to give it a try.

One of those 13 girls was Katherine Edelshain.

In honor of our 30th anniversary, we’re celebrating with 30 reasons we love Girls on the Run — and trust us, narrowing it down to just 30 wasn’t easy!

When Alina Morse was 7 years old, a simple trip to the bank sparked an idea that would change her entire life. After being offered a lollipop, Alina wondered, “Why can’t candy be good for your teeth?”

Our Spring 5K at UNLV last month was absolutely amazing! We had over 950 runners between our girls, their adult running buddies, and community runners...

Healthy, supportive relationships help children build resilience, confidence and connection that can last a lifetime.

From first strides to finish line smiles, our Spring 5K brought together a community to celebrate the incredible girls at the heart of it all.

Every child deserves a safe, supportive place to grow when the school day ends.

Celebrating Black History Month by nurturing young hearts and minds through culture, connection, and joy.