As I look out my office window at the trees starting to bud, I find it hard to believe that just one short month ago we were grappling with whether or not to extend Spring program registration because of snow.  Well, time moves on and now we have just completed the first week of the Girls on the Run Spring program.  All over Northern Virginia, girls are getting together to talk about what it means to be part of a team and starting to prepare for the New Balance Girls on the Run 5K to be held on May 23^rd.

I know that coaches, girls, and parents focus on the Girls on the Run program at their school (as you should), but I also wanted you to know and appreciate that we are all part of a collective and amazing coalition of girl power.  Here are a few stats from our Spring program registration:

• 3,129 girls are currently taking part in Girls on the Run in Northern Virginia
• Nearly 30% of those girls are receiving some kind of financial assistance from Girls on the Run of NOVA
• 159 schools in our area have a Girls on the Run program
• 41 schools have more than one Girls on the Run program
• 208 parents told Girls on the Run of NOVA that they would like to volunteer (we’ll be in touch!)
• The New Balance Girls on the Run 5k run has capacity for 7,200 runners!

 With stats like those, you really do get a feel for what a large role Girls on the Run plays in our community.  And, if you have any doubt, please join us on May 23^rd at George Mason University’s Fairfax campus where all that girl power will be in full swing, even at 7:30 am when the 5K run starts!

A little over a week ago, Girls on the Run stormed the General Assembly in Richmond.  I say stormed because nine of us split into three teams and managed to meet with all 37 Northern Virginia delegates in one day!

The teams were made up of Girls on the Run staff members, Board members, and coaches.  Each team had pre-arranged meetings with our Northern Virginia delegates and state senators.  At each meeting, we told the Girls on the Run story and asked for help spreading the word about our program.  We also assured the folks we met with that we were not asking for any money because we knew there was none to be had, but that we wanted them to know about our wonderful program so they would keep us in mind when funding became available.

 Girls on the Run was also recognized on the floor of the House of Delegates and the floor of the State senate – talk about spreading the word!  And, in addition to having the best-laid plans, we also had a little luck with us.  We happened to run into Governor Bob McDonnell and were able to tell him about Girls on the Run, present him with a Girls on the Run t-shirt and Reindeer Romp medal, and give him a packet of information on our program. 

 And thus the first Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia Advocacy Day was born.  I’m not sure the General Assembly will ever be the same.  More than one person was heard to say, “Who are all those women in black pants carrying canvas bags?”  Canvas Girls on the Run coaches bags of course.