Sport Innovation/Active Network Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run® is a life-changing, learning program for girls aged eight to thirteen years old. The programs combine training for a 5 Km running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts.

Girls on the Run was founded by Molly Barker and first appeared in 1996. It was trialled as a 12-week, 24-lesson curriculum with 13 girls in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The program is led by volunteers which includes training for a 5K run with fun, experience-based lessons that improve self-awareness, build a collection of positive experiences and inspire life-changing confidence through accomplishment [1].

In 2000, Girls on the Run International became a 501(c)(3) organization. Today, Girls on the Run is offered in over 173 cities across North America [2].

The objective of Girls on the Run is to educate and empower girls at an early age in order to prevent the display of at-risk activities in the future [2]. At risk activities include substance/alcohol use, eating disorders, early onset of sexual activity, sedentary lifestyle, depression, suicide attempts and confrontations with the juvenile justice system.

Girls on the Run employ the Active Network’s specialised software solutions to manage their programs and events. Active Network customises their packages such as the running event management software and the charity runs and walks program to specifically meet the demands from an organisation.

References
 * 1) Girls on the Run (2008). Origins. Retrieved from http://www.girlsontherun.org/default.html
 * 2) Girls on the Run (2008). The Program. Retrieved from http://www.girlsontherun.org/theprogram.html