Girls on the Run

Be in the know with this season’s details for 3rd-5th graders! See below!

Register Locations

Two Girls on the Run participants smile at the camera while running at an outdoor practice in yellow shirts

Spring 2024 Season

Spring season begins the week of March 4th!
Registration opens February 12th!

Overview-Shared

Overview

The registration period will be February 12th - March 1st
Our spring 2024 season will begin the week of March 4th
Our standard schedule is to practice 2x a week for 10 weeks for Girls On the Run teams and 1x a week for Heart & Sole teams.
A season-culminating 5K event will be on Saturday, May 18th.
Click here to see our fall locations

Reg fees - SHARED

Registration Fees

Building confidence and setting young girls down the path of a healthy lifestyle is PRICELESS! However, there are real costs associated with operating a non-profit organization and delivering the Girls on the Run program to approximately 1,000 girls in the Central Illinois area each year. Registration is $150 per girl and includes:

10 weeks of practice sessions conducted by certified GOTR volunteer coaches
Curriculum and lesson materials
Official GOTR T-shirt
5K Registration fee
5K Medal
Post 5K celebration

Financial Assistance (New Process)

Our council serves a large territory with a diverse population and we want to ensure all girls who desire to participate in our program can, regardless of their financial status.

We are proud to honor our commitment that no girl is ever turned away for the inability to pay the registration fee; therefore, we offer financial assistance (scholarships) on a sliding scale.

Household Income Guidelines	Sliding Scale Fee
Under $25,000	$25
$25,001 - $35,000	$35
$35,001 - $50,000	$50
$50,001 - $75,000	$75
$75,001 - $100,000	$100
Over $100,000	$150

The financial assistance process is now included within the online program registration. To use financial assistance, simply answer the questions during registration, and the computer will determine your eligibility based on household income and adjust the fee accordingly. If you need assistance beyond where your family falls in the above chart, please email darian@GOTRcentralillinois.org with information on your specific circumstances and what amount you can afford. Our minimum fee for any participant is $25.

Payment Plans

Girls on the Run is now able to offer 2- or 3- installment payment plans on all registrations, including those with a scholarship. Payment plan arrangements can be made through the online registration system with a credit/debit card or e-check.

The first installment of the payment plan is the date of registration. For the spring 2024 season, if you select 2 payments the 2nd payment will be processed on Friday, March 29th. If you select 3 payments, the 2nd payment will be processed on Friday, March 29th and the 3rd payment on Friday, April 26th.

Registration fees must be PAID IN FULL in order to participate in the End of Season 5K event on Saturday, May 18th.

False

Reg fees - SHARED

Refunds/Cancellations

In the event that a program participant would like to cancel her registration for whatever reason, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to contact the Girls on the Run of Central Illinois office to withdraw from the program. Notifying coaches is not sufficient.

Girls on the Run of Central Illinois will refund the registration fee (minus $10 online service charge) if requested prior to the 2nd lesson of a Girls on the Run program. No refunds will be issued for any terminations after the 2nd lesson.

In the event that an unforeseen illness or health issue arises after the 2nd lesson, such instances will be handled on a case by case basis. If a site is canceled due to insufficient registration or other circumstances deemed appropriate by Girls on the Run of Central Illinois, the full registration fee will be refunded.

True

FAQ

My girl isn't a big runner; is this program for her? Or my girl is already a skilled runner. Is this program for her?

Yes! We are much more than a running program, and every participant can benefit from the experience of building confidence through accomplishment while participating in our rich, curriculum-based, age-appropriate, interactive lessons. Expect lots of games, talking, laughing and processing in addition to running at each practice. And know that when we say run, we mean run, walk, skip, roll or push, just as long as you are moving foward!

What does the program fee include?

The program fee includes 10 weeks of practices lead by trained coaches, lessons and curriculum, a program t-shirt, 5K registration, and a 5K medal.

We can't afford the program registration fee, but our child would love to participate. How does the scholarship program work?

Don't let cost stop you from participating! We are committed to making Girls on the Run accessible to all who want to participate! Thanks to generous donors and community supporters, program scholarships are available to any family who needs it. The financial assistance process is now included within the online program registration. To use financial assistance, simply answer the questions during registration, and the computer will determine your eligibility based on household income and adjust the fee accordingly.

When does the 10-week season begin?

Practices will begin the week of March 4th. The community 5K event will be on Saturday, May 18th. More information will be shared by the GOTR staff and by your girl's coaches once the season begins.

Do girls need to attend all practices in order to register?

Yes! Since most of our teams fill up quickly, if your girl will be unable to attend all the practices, please save room for a girl who can, and consider joining us in a future season when she can enjoy the entire program. This means both weekly practices for our GOTR teams!

Is there a way for me to sponsor a participant for a season?

While we don't have direct participant sponsors, as a mission-driven 501(c)(3), Girls on the Run relies on generous donors in order to provide program scholarships so that EVERY girl can participate in Girls on the Run. If you are interested in donating, please see more information here.