Girls on the Run Welcomes Hundreds This Fall
The South Georgia and Lowcountry nonprofit's participants will celebrate completing a 5K at community events in November.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Running
Girls on the Run South Georgia Coastal Lowcountry welcomed hundreds of participants this fall. Girls in grades 3-8 train through lessons that integrate movement, preparing them to complete a team practice 5K.
Why it matters
The program combines youth development with running, offering girls structured physical activity and skill-building across a 44-county territory. The organization has celebrated more than 5,000 program participations since it was founded in 2015.
The organization serves a 44-county territory and has celebrated more than 5,000 program participations since 2015. Girls in grades 3-8 take part through the grade 3-5 Girls on the Run and grade 6-8 Heart & Sole programs, but the source does not give the exact fall enrollment count.
The players
Girls on the Run South Georgia Coastal Lowcountry
A nonprofit that serves South Georgia, Coastal Georgia, and the South Carolina Lowcountry through youth running and character-development programs for girls.
Mary Crawford
The chief executive officer of Girls on the Run South Georgia Coastal Lowcountry, leading the organization's programming across its service region.
The details
Each lesson integrates movement so girls can practice skills while preparing for a 5K. Participants complete noncompetitive celebrations that bring together families, coaches, running buddies, and community supporters.
Timeline
Fall 2026: Program welcomes hundreds of participants.
November 7, 2026: 5K celebration at Georgia Southern Armstrong Campus in Savannah.
November 14, 2026: 5K celebration starting at the Historic Lowndes County Courthouse in Valdosta.
Season Trajectory
The Girls on the Run model pairs weekly lessons with a 5K goal, a structure the South Georgia chapter applies across its 44-county territory. Its growth to more than 5,000 participations since 2015 reflects the program's continued expansion in the region.
Families and community supporters can attend the November 7 and November 14 5K celebrations to cheer on participants. The events are noncompetitive, so girls of varying experience levels take part together.
The takeaway
Youth programs that pair skill-building with a concrete physical goal give participants a clear milestone to work toward. Community events that welcome families and coaches help sustain that momentum beyond the classroom.
What happens next
The 5K celebrations are scheduled for November 7 in Savannah and November 14 in Valdosta.
Further reading
For more on youth distance running in the state, explore Running coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Valdosta Daily Times.
