Girls-on-the-Run

Lindsay Peiffer

Our speaker today is Lindsay Peiffer. She is Director of the “ Girls on the Run” and “Stride” Programs for the YMCA for all of Southeastern North Carolina. Her programs empower young kids to believe in themselves by building self-confidence through healthy living.


Girls on the Run

New Hanover County Schools held Girls on the Run in the school system starting in 2004. In 2008, Wilmington Family YMCA became the new affiliate of Girls on the Run of Coastal Carolina holding the program at three sites in New Hanover County. The Girls on the Run program now embraces 21 counties in Southeastern North Carolina with over 30 locations that serve on average over 1500 hundred girls a year!

Lindsay described the Girls on the Run Program as a life-changing program for 8- to 13-year-old girls (3rd to 5th grade) that promotes girl empowerment by teaching life skills through lessons and running.

The Girls on the Run Program is a 10-week program with after school meetings 2 days a week where girls and their coaches get together to discuss life skills values in between the running, of course.

Some of the values covered are:

  • Self Talk Matters
  • Attitude of Gratitude
  • Real Beauty
  • Untangling our Emotions
  • Empathy
  • Finding Balance
  • Communicating with Others
  • Community Impact Project

The 10 week program culminates in a 5K run where the girls are supported by family, coaches, friends and others in the community who turn out for these runs. Since three age groups are included in the program, on average 60% of those who participated once do participate again.


Girls on the Run Camp

At the week-long Camp GOTR, girls enjoy building friendships in a fun and inclusive setting that includes interactive lessons, being physically active, and expressing creativity through arts & crafts and storytelling. 


To learn more about the Girls on the Run program follow this link https://www.gotrcoastalcarolina.org/our-programs

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