Volunteer

Volunteer at our Fall 2026 5K at Belle Isle State Park on Sunday, November 15th, 2026. Registration will open October 1st, 2026.

We are always looking for volunteers to help with our season-ending 5K celebration! We need hundreds of helping hands to make this day special for all of our runners.

Click the link to register as a Volunteer

Volunteer to Coach

Volunteering as a coach is the most rewarding way to get involved with Girls on the Run. Our volunteer coaches lead their teams through the Girls on the Run-developed curriculum, stretching and running activities, and training for the end-of-season 5K event. You do not need to be a runner or a competitive athlete. Successful coaches need only serve as a role model for girls by showing up prepared and on time, listening attentively, and by demonstrating a positive attitude!

Fall 2026 Program Dates:

Season Begins: The week of September 21st, 2026

Season Ends: November 18th, 2026

End of Season 5K Celebration: November 15th, Belle Isle State Park

Coaches must apply by September 9th, 2026

Coach In-Person Training Dates: Girls on the Run

Wednesday, July 15th, 2026 – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Location: Macomb Family YMCA, 10 N. River Road, Mount Clemons, MI 48043)

Wednesday, August 19th, 2026 – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Location: Downriver YMCA, 16777 Northline Road, Southgate, MI 48195)

Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 – 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Location: Downriver YMCA, 16777 Northline Road, Southgate, MI 48195)

Saturday, September 12th, 2026 – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Location: Farmington Family YMCA, 28100 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334)

Coach In-Person Training Date: PACE

Saturday, September 12th, 2026 – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Location: Farmington Family YMCA, 28100 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334)

Before making a commitment to coach, please consider the following:

• Teams meet twice a week for 75-90 minutes.
• New Coaches will complete online training modules and must attend GOTR an in-person GOTR or PACE Coach Training session, complete a background check, complete Child-Safe online modules, and are offered a CPR/First Aid certification course, if needed. Total training time (in-person and online) is roughly 20 hours total.
• The Celebration 5K is held at the end of the season and is held on a Sunday morning–usually a 4-5 hour commitment.
• Read our Coaches Job Description to learn more about Girls on the Run coaching positions

Ready to Register to Coach?

If you already know where you’ll be coaching, you can register right away!

If you are interested in becoming a coach but don’t know where, you’ll fill out an interest form and select: Interested Coach: Need Placement, when asked to select your team! This will enable us to assist you in connecting with a team in your area!

Interested in our program for boys called PACE?  Visit the PACE Website for more information.

Questions? email: gotr@ymcadetroit.org