The Girls on the Run program celebrated a successful graduation 5K event on November 22, 2025, at Salisbury Community Park, attracting approximately 900 participants. The event, which included girls, running buddies, and spectators, marked a significant milestone for many participants running a 5K for the first time.
As the race approached, a mix of excitement and nerves filled the air. Among the participants was McKinley Rollins, a ten-year-old from Rockwell Elementary School, who was already a three-time veteran of the event. Rollins shared her strategy: “I know not to sprint, but to keep a steady pace.” She had been training since August with a group of 21 girls aged 8 to 11, meeting twice a week to prepare. Rollins emphasized the personal growth she experienced through the program, stating, “I improved my self-esteem and learned conflict resolution, and especially learned that I can do what I need to.”
The fall program was led by Gina Ritchie, who has coached for 25 seasons. Ritchie, a third-grade teacher, highlighted the dual focus of the program: fostering friendships and engaging in service projects. She noted, “We help the girls bond and support each other while working on service projects.”
Another participant, Genesis Henry, a nine-year-old from Koontz Elementary, expressed her enjoyment of running and the importance of supporting peers. Her coach, Lisha Weeks, who works with Communities in Schools, noted her motivation for joining the program was to encourage her daughter to be more active. “I am especially happy when helping the girls know that it is OK to make mistakes and teaching them about how to be a good friend,” Weeks said.
The organization, Girls on the Run Greater Piedmont, was founded in 2008 by Jennifer Summers, who still plays an active role in the program. On race day, Summers described the atmosphere as “exhilarating exhaustion.” She expressed hope that the event would empower each girl, noting, “Finishing a 5K and being proud of the work they put in to get to that finish line has me hopeful that each girl realizes she can do lots of hard things.”
The event also saw participation from community members who came to support the mission of Girls on the Run. Sarah Swertfeger, who began her involvement as a volunteer coach, now serves as the vice chair of the board of directors. She reflected on the program’s impact, stating, “Through Girls on the Run, we learn life skills that we take with us forever. The 5K is the culmination of knowing we can all accomplish so much when we work hard.”
Executive Director Shelli Breadon shared her awe at witnessing the event. “The energy, the smiles, the determination — it’s electric,” she said. Breadon emphasized the significance of the 5K in building confidence and shaping the aspirations of the participants.
The fall season concluded with the 5K uniting girls from 14 sites across Iredell, Rowan, Davidson, and Forsyth counties. The run featured supportive coaches, enthusiastic volunteers, community partners, and cheering spectators. Following the successful event, Girls on the Run Greater Piedmont is already looking ahead to the spring 2026 season, set to begin in February and culminating in another celebratory 5K on May 2, 2026.
Coach Ritchie noted the positive atmosphere, highlighting the ideal weather that contributed to a great day. Henry, reflecting on her first experience, said, “Being here running with my friends was fun all the way through.”
Parents interested in enrolling their daughters in the spring program can find available locations at https://www.gotrgreaterpiedmont.org/locations. For those looking to start a new team or volunteer as a coach, further information is available at https://www.gotrgreaterpiedmont.org/start-team and https://www.gotrgreaterpiedmont.org/volunteer respectively.
