Press Release

SOMERVILLE, NJ, November 23, 2021 – The Honorable Dennis Sullivan, Mayor of Somerville, kicked off the Girls on the Run of Central Jersey (GOTRCNJ) Fall 5k on Sunday in downtown Somerville. Open to the public, the first in-person GOTR race since the pandemic drew over 1,000 participants. Net proceeds from the race will go to program scholarships for girls in low income communities.

Girls on the Run inspires girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Trained coaches lead small teams through an evidence-based eight-week curriculum where girls in grades 3-8 grade develop critical life skills to help them navigate their worlds.

The program culminates with girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K event. The 5K gives the girls a tangible understanding of the confidence that comes through accomplishment, as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals.

“Our volunteer coaches tell me time and again that the inspiration they get from watching the girls in our program share their uniqueness and reach their goal by crossing the finish line is an experience they will not forget,” said Donna York, Executive Director of GOTRCNJ.

GOTRCNJ is grateful to its race day sponsors: Hark-ALS and United Rent All.

Currently the GOTRCNJ program serves 2,200 girls at nearly 117 sites in Camden, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset counties. Girls on the Run has been recognized by the National Afterschool Association (NAA) as one of the most influential after-school programs in the nation.  Registration for the GOTRCNJ Spring 2022 season opens early March 2022.  For program and registration information contact Lynn Sherman, Program Coordinator at lynn.sherman@girlsontherun.org.

*Photo Courtesy of Girls on the Run Central NJ