The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment, while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.

Girls on the Run-Chicago (GOTRC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission of educating and preparing girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.  GOTRC uses a lesson plan that addresses the unique developmental stages of 8 to 14-year-old girls while helping them develop healthy lifestyles.  The program combines training for a 5K run (3.1 miles) with interactive lessons that encourage positive emotional, social, mental and physical development.  GOTRC is the largest independent local affiliate of Girls on the Run-International, and was founded by five local women in 1999.  That first year, three Chicago schools piloted the program and served 60 girls.  Since then, thousands of volunteers across Chicagoland have given their time to empower nearly 15,000 young girls with the confidence and character they need to become healthy, strong women.  Today, GOTRC serves almost 4,000 girls annually at more than 180 sites in five Chicago area counties (Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, and Will).  The steps planned over the next five years are to more than double the number of girls we serve annually to 8,000 with a growing emphasis on underprivileged girls.