Running Buddies
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 New Balance 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.
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. All other community members are asked to
register by April 13th at the latest. In either case, we would be
so grateful if you would register as soon as you know that you will
want to be a Buddy to assist with our planning and recruitment
process.
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!
