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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. But here is our policy:

• At least one female coach over the age of 21 must be present at all times.
• Our Head Coach must be female.
• All other coaches and assistant coaches must be at least 18 years of age.
• Junior Coaches must be at least 16 years of age and female.

A minimum of one coach per team must have CPR and First Aid certification on file by the first session of any given season and be present at every practice. GOTR Long Island will provide this at no cost to you. 

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 team with the curriculum and supplies needed to facilitate the season. New coaches will receive their coach bag and supplies during in-person coach training. Returning coaches will be provided with a few pick up options. 

Coach training includes online self-paced training that takes approximately 4 hours and an in-person training session that takes approximately 2 hours. You will sign up for one of the trainings in the GOTR Learning Academy.  In person dates TBD and a waitlist for a 3rd option if neither scheduled date works for you. Training is held at our office inside Eisenhower Park, East Meadow.

For the Girls on the Run program (grades 3-5) Coaches must attend and lead 75 to 90-minute practices twice per week for 8 weeks. To provide a consistent experience to participants, your commitment is crucial to prepare and collaborate with co-coaches to facilitate fun, successful lessons.

For the Heart & Sole program (grades 6-8) Coaches have the option of meeting twice per week for 75 minutes each for 10 weeks OR once per week for two hours for 10 weeks. Each season culminates with a team-led community project and celebratory 5K event.  

In addition to the two to three coaches who are 18 years of age or older, some teams may also have a Junior Coach assigned. Junior Coaches are high school volunteers between the ages 16-18 who complete an application and training. They are role models and developing leaders who support the adult coaches and mentor the team. 

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

Coaches may indicate where they would like to coach. 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 two to three trained coaches, and sometimes a Junior Coach. If you would like to coach at an existing site with another applicant, please mention this in your application and we will do our best to accommodate you.