Coach Isabel

No! Girls on the Run provides the training, curriculum and supplies needed to safely lead a team for a season! You simply need to be a motivating role model for your team. Many of our coaches participate in their first 5K alongside their team!

No. But here is our policy:

• At least one female coach over the age of 21 must be present at all times.
• Our Head Coach must be female.
• All other coaches and assistant coaches must be at least 18 years of age.
• Junior Coaches must be at least 16 years of age and female.

Yes! Community coaches are individuals not directly affiliated with a school or community location who support the Girls on the Run mission. Community coaches are placed according to their geographic location and their availability at sites that need additional coaches.

No! We provide you with training, curriculum and supplies – everything needed to coach a safe, successful season! You should not incur any personal costs to provide the program to your team.

Our council provides each program location with the curriculum and supplies needed to facilitate the season.Materials are distributed our All Coach Meeting, prior to the start of the season. 

• Saturday, 8/29, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM, Hutchison School; 1740 Ridgeway Road

A minimum of one coach per team must have CPR and First Aid certification on file by the first session of any given season and be present at every practice.

Coach training is required for all new coaches. It includes online self-paced training and an in-person training session. 

Coach training options are:

• In-Person Coach Training Workshop: Saturday, 8/22- 10AM-12:30PM*; Memphis Jewish Home, 36 Bazeberry Road

• In-Person Coach Training Workshop: Monday, 8/24- 6-8:30PM*; Rhodes College, Bonner Center, 613 University Street (located on the 2nd floor of the college bookstore)

You must fill out a coach application in order to attend training. 

Coaches must attend and lead 75 to 90-minute practices twice per week for 10 weeks. To provide a consistent experience to participants, your commitment is crucial to prepare and collaborate with co-coaches to facilitate fun, successful lessons. Each season culminates with a team-led community project and celebratory 5K event.  

In addition to the two to three coaches who are 18 years of age or older, some teams may also have a Junior Coach assigned. Junior Coaches are high school volunteers between the ages 16-18 who complete an application and training. They are role models and developing leaders who support the adult coaches and mentor the team. 

Practice times are typically set in the late afternoon/early evening hours between 3-5:30 PM (to accommodate participants after school). Teams may practice at designated parks, recreation and community centers, organizations and schools. The location and times are approved prior to participant registration each season. 

Coaches may indicate where they would like to coach. If coaches do not have a preference, we will assign them to a location in need. 

Absolutely! The more, the merrier! Each Girls on the Run team is led by two to three trained coaches, and sometimes a Junior Coach. If you would like to coach at an existing site with another applicant, please mention this in your application and we will do our best to accommodate you.