When you ask a girl what she loves about Girls on the Run, you might hear about her teammates, her coaches, the games, or crossing the finish line.

But what do parents see?

They see the little changes that happen week after week. They see girls finding their voices, making new friends, trying something that feels hard, and discovering that they are capable of more than they thought.

As we celebrate 25 years of Girls on the Run New Hampshire, we're sharing the perspective of the people who get to watch that transformation happen: the parents and caregivers.

Building Confidence

For many families, one of the most noticeable changes is confidence. Girls discover their strengths, find their voices, and begin to believe in themselves in new ways.

“The coaches were amazing. They lifted her spirit and her confidence without even knowing it. They were so kind, caring, uplifting, and so much more. I could see [my daughter’s] confidence growing!”

“Her confidence has more than doubled in the past few months and I am so incredibly proud of her. She isn’t nearly as shy and is not afraid to speak up. GOTR gave that to her.”

“I think GOTR really helped build confidence for the young girls and gave them a sense of belonging. The sportsmanship is tremendous, and even though running comes off as individual, it is truly all about the team.”

Finding Friendship & Belonging

For some girls, Girls on the Run becomes a place to find their people. Teammates become friends, coaches become mentors, and girls discover the power of being part of a team.

“My daughter has made friendships that she wouldn’t have otherwise made.”

“She made connections with girls at school that weren’t close friends before and filled afternoons with a positive, healthy activity.”

“My daughter loved the sisterhood that the girls in Girls on the Run have built and the friendships with the coaches.”

Learning to Give Back

Through Community Impact Projects and lessons about helping others, girls learn that they can make a difference in their community.

“My GOTR athlete has taken away from GOTR the want to help her community, always brainstorming ways that she can make changes locally and always wanting to be a part of something within the community. GOTR has taught her a lot about giving back.”

Discovering Resilience

Girls on the Run teaches girls that hard things don't have to stop them. They learn to keep going, support one another, and recognize that they're capable of more than they might have imagined.

“She has learned that running can be hard but pushing through the hard can be good. She will always remember crossing the finish line hand-in-hand with her mom.”

“She learned that she is capable of so much more than she thinks! She ran more laps at practice than she ever imagined and finished the [5K] strong.”

The Whole Picture

Of course, the impact of Girls on the Run can't always fit neatly into one category.

It's confidence. It's friendship. It's belonging. It's resilience. It's kindness. It's leadership. It's discovering the courage to try something new.

And sometimes, it's all of those things at once.

“As a parent, I am so grateful for Girls on the Run and the positive impact that the program has had on my daughter. She completed her first 5k this past November, and the entire experience was so wonderful to be a part of! Watching her laugh with her team, support other girls, and confidently cross the finish line at her ‘happy pace’ with a HUGE smile on her face was so special and brought tears to my eyes! Thank you GOTR for helping to teach leadership skills, self-confidence, kindness, and healthy habits!”

25 Years of Impact

For 25 years, Girls on the Run New Hampshire has been helping girls discover their confidence, build meaningful connections, and recognize their limitless potential.

But perhaps the best way to understand that impact isn't through numbers or statistics.

It's through the people who get to see it firsthand.

The parents who notice the confidence.
The caregivers who see the friendships.
The families who cheer from the sidelines.
And the girls who carry these lessons with them long after they cross the finish line.

That's the impact of Girls on the Run. 💛