Become A Running Buddy
Want to get involved with Girls on the Run®, but don’t have a lot of time?
Sign up to be a Running Buddy and help a girl cross the finish line of her first 5k!
Share a girl’s exhilaration and excitement as she crosses the finish line of her first 5K. For many girls, this is the biggest challenge and biggest accomplishment of Girls on the Run…and one of their favorite parts is having their very own Running Buddy by their side!
During the 12-week program, Girls on the Run participants slowly build up endurance and stamina as the running games they play gradually increase the amount of running they do. They’ve learned to pace themselves with walking and running, set goals, and feel proud about what they accomplish. Girls on the Run participants top off their experience by running or walking in a 5K event at the end of the program.
The goal of the 5K is for the girls to do their best and HAVE FUN! Girls are not encouraged to race competitively, but are encouraged to reach their own goals. For most girls, that means making it to the finish-line- whether it is by walking, running or skipping!
Qualities of a Running Buddy: Female who is enthusiastic, fun-loving, patient, supportive, enjoys spending time w/youth, ability to run or jog a 5K. Please note that male relatives and teachers of participants are permitted and encouraged to serve as Buddies as well.
Running Buddy Volunteer Description: The job of a Running Buddy is to accompany and encourage one or two girls through her 5K experience at the Girls on the Run 5K on April 28, 2012. That means running or walking at her pace and encouraging her to do her best, but also recognizing and respecting her limits. Running Buddies are asked to arrive no later than 7:00 a.m. on race day.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. ALL RUNNING BUDDY POSITIONS FOR THE 5K ON APRIL 28TH HAVE BEEN FILLED. PLEASE JOIN US AS A PUBLIC 5K PARTICIPANT THOUGH AND FOLLOW THIS SITE AND OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.
Please note that part of signing up as a Buddy includes registering and paying the fee for the 5K event. This is a mandatory step for anyone wanting to be confirmed as a Running Buddy. Also, basic background checks will be run on all community volunteers applying as a Buddy. Details for completing this step will be provided upon receipt of your Buddy application.
How to Apply: Register online here. Please be sure to answer all questions for Running Buddies. You can also apply via mail by completing this paper form and returning it to the address on the form WITH payment for race fee.
Deadlines: Anyone requesting to be paried with a specific girl or site (such as parents, family members, teachers etc.) MUST register by March 23rd in order for us to fulfill your assignment request.
Confirmation: After registering as a Running Buddy, you will receive a confirmation email with more details and another with more specific event details in advance of race day.
If you commit to be a buddy but have to cancel, we ask that you please notify us as soon as possible so that we have time to find a replacement Buddy for your girl. We do our best to make sure that every buddy and girl is paired on race day. However, there is a chance that due to circumstances such as family emergencies, illness, transportation issues etc., your girl may not be in attendance on race day. In this case we will make every effort to reassign you.
If you have questions, please contact GOTR Program Coordinator, Julie Rose, at julie@gotrmc.org or 602-795-6572.
Thank you in advance for your support!
