Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio (GOTRNEO) is proud to announce its Spring 5K, taking place on Saturday, May 9th at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, located at 19201 Bagley Road in Middleburg Heights. Gates open at 8:00 a.m., and the 5K begins at 9:30 a.m. More than 1,000 families from across the region are expected to attend.
The event is free to attend as a spectator and open to participants of all ages and abilities. Registered participants are encouraged to walk, run, roll, or skip at their own pace across the 3.1-mile course, and everyone who crosses the finish line receives a commemorative medal. There are no clocks, no rankings, and no pressure - only the joy of showing up, moving forward, and finishing something meaningful.
More Than a Race - A Season-Long Journey
What makes the GOTRNEO Spring 5K unlike any other 5K in Northeast Ohio is not what happens on race day. It is everything that happens before it.
Throughout the season, Girls on the Run and Heart & Sole participants - girls in third through eighth grade - work through a curriculum that builds far more than physical endurance. They learn to name their emotions and manage them. They practice setting goals and taking steps toward them even when progress feels slow. They discover what it means to keep going in the face of doubt. By the time they reach the starting line on May 9th, the 5K is not an introduction to something new. It is a chance to prove something they have already earned.
"The 5K is where it all comes together,” says Erin Mathews, GOTRNEO 5K Director. “Our incredible volunteer coaches have spent 8 weeks giving these girls the tools they need to keep moving forward when things get hard. They talk about real life, difficult situations, emotions, and so much more. Physical activity is woven into every lesson, building confidence in their abilities to tackle challenges of all kinds. At Girls on the Run, crossing the finish line is designed to be a living lesson: that hard things are possible, that challenges can be faced head-on, and that the best way through is often just one more step.”
For many participants, it is the first time they have done something that once felt out of reach - and that realization tends to extend well beyond the course.
Volunteers: The Heart of 5K Day
None of this would be possible without the volunteers who show up to make the day come alive. From cheering at water stops and guiding participants along the course to helping with setup, registration, and merchandise, volunteers are the force behind the celebration. They are the faces that greet a nervous first-time runner at the start line and the voices cheering every single participant across the finish.
"Every volunteer that crosses paths with our participants is building confidence in the girls we serve,” shares Executive Director Bevin Bowersmith. “From the coaches that work directly with their teams to the in-office volunteers packing supply bags, and everyone in between. Our 5K volunteers are no exception. These girls are often nervous, unsure if they can accomplish this huge thing. For years, the world around them has made them second-guess their abilities. It’s caused them to think maybe they can’t reach the big goals they aim for. We’re here to show them they can. That anything’s possible. And the energy brought by our volunteers, the encouraging words shared along the way, the high fives as they approach the finish line – they’re all helping that girl to take that next step."
Volunteer registration is open at www.gotrnortheastohio.org/5k, where interested community members can sign up for a variety of shifts and roles.
Sponsors Like Kickstart Accounting Make It Possible
Events like the Spring 5K are made possible through the generous support of community-minded businesses. This season, Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio is proud to recognize Kickstart Accounting, Inc. as a Pacesetter Sponsor. Kickstart Accounting is an accounting firm designed to help female entrepreneurs understand their financials in order to grow their businesses and become more profitable - a mission that resonates deeply with the values at the heart of Girls on the Run.
For Kickstart Accounting, the decision to sponsor Girls on the Run was personal. "Our firm exists to remove barriers for women in business, and GOTR is doing the same work at the beginning of a girl's journey," shared the company’s founder and CEO, Danielle Hayden. "Supporting this program is a natural extension of who we are as a company."
That connection runs deeper than a shared audience. Kickstart Accounting sees a direct line between the lessons girls learn through the GOTR program and the qualities that define successful entrepreneurs. "The same traits GOTR is developing in these young girls are the exact traits we see show up in our most successful clients," Danielle noted. "Building a business is a long race, and the ability to keep going when it gets hard is not something you learn in a spreadsheet. It is something you build over a lifetime, and it starts early."
The firm also speaks to the broader significance of events like the 5K for the girls who participate. "We hope every girl who participates walks away knowing that she is capable of doing hard things. The ability to set a goal, put in the work, and cross a finish line creates a kind of confidence that lasts."
Development Director Jen Blatnik sees firsthand how partners like Kickstart Accounting are impacting the girls served through Girls on the Run programming. “As a nonprofit organization, we rely on our partners to help fund the work we do. More than half of this season’s participants requested financial assistance to cover the cost of their registration fee, and we’re beyond grateful to the partners that make it possible for us to remove financial barriers for all families across Northeast Ohio. We are truly grateful for the continued support of Kickstart Accounting over the last several years and look forward to continuing to build on that partnership for years to come.”
Businesses interested in sponsoring Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio can visit www.gotrnortheastohio.org/5k or reach out directly at jen.blatnik@girlsontherun.org to learn more about partnership opportunities.
A Celebration for the Whole Family
Beyond the 5K itself, the event offers a full morning of family-friendly fun. This season's event features multiple food trucks and vendors, including Daisy Pops, Dogs on the Go, Cheesy Dave's, CLE Cotton Candy, You Enjoy My Donuts, Hartville Potato Chips, and Routine Coffee, along with a DJ, dancing, and activities for all ages. Spectators are welcome to attend at no cost, and the energy of the crowd is a big part of what makes crossing the finish line so memorable for participants.
Event Details and Registration
The Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio Spring 5K takes place Saturday, May 9th at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130. Gates open at 8:00 a.m., and the 5K begins at 9:30 a.m. Packet pickup is available on Friday, May 8th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the venue.
Registration is open to all. Cheer Champion registration is $40 online through May 4th and $50 for day-of registration. Stroller Rider registration is available for $10. For those who want to make an even greater impact, the Star Supporter option ($185) provides a full scholarship to a future GOTRNEO participant and comes with a few fun perks as our way of saying thanks! Note: current program participants and coaches do not need to register separately.
To register, volunteer, or learn more, visit www.gotrnortheastohio.org/5k.
ABOUT GIRLS ON THE RUN NORTHEAST OHIO
Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio (GOTRNEO) is an affiliated council of Girls on the Run International and is supported by several benefactors. It serves girls in third through eighth grades in Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit counties. Inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident, the program uses a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. For more information, visit www.gotrneo.org.