LIFE LESSONS MADE FUN. Girls on the Run Chippewa Valley may be best known for its annual spring program, which concludes with the community 5K event of the same name. The 5K doubles as the organization's largest fundraiser. “Our community will always need organizations like Girls on the Run to provide nurturing, supportive programming to girls when they need it the most,” Executive Director Rose Dolan-Neil said.

While its name may initially indicate otherwise, local nonprofit Girls on the Run (GOTR) Chippewa Valley isn’t really about running.

At least, not entirely. Yes, the organization’s most popular event is an annual 5K fun run/walk/roll in Eau Claire's Carson Park – this year, slated for the morning of Saturday, May 9 – but as Executive Director Rose Dolan-Neil shared, even that isn’t really about running.

“I know, it’s the name of our org and on our logo,” Dolan-Neil started, “but the real heart of GOTR goes beyond physical activity.

“Our coaches work through a curriculum that focuses on confidence building, leadership training, community involvement and standing up for ourselves and others,” she said. “Girls in our program are encouraged to be their authentic selves; to express joy, optimism and gratitude.” 

2026 marks GOTR’s 20th anniversary serving the Chippewa Valley, adding an extra layer of excitement to this year’s 5K. The event, also the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser and open to anyone in the community, acts as an end-cap of the Girls on the Run spring programming.

Fundraising can be tough – especially for nonprofits – and it's largely thanks to local volunteers and supporters that events like the Girls on the Run 5K happen.

The eight-week program open to local girls in grades 3-5 across western Wisconsin, is a confidence-building experience with curriculum-based, age-appropriate lessons baked in.

In action, that looks like playing games, talking and engaging with other girls and volunteers, a healthy snack at each weekly meetup and more.

Crossing the spring 5K finish line acts as a tangible ending of each participating girls’ program. That in itself, is one of the program’s lessons: “Girls are trained to create obtainable goals, like finishing a 5K,” Dolan-Neil said, “and celebrate their wins with their team.”

This year, about 400 girls – 36 from the Menomonie area; 86 from the Chippewa Falls area; 193 from the Eau Claire area – are participating in the program. An additional 100-plus local volunteer coaches are supporting those girls.

Registration for this year’s Girls on the Run 5K is still open: $35/person for adults, teenagers ages 13 and up; $20/person for youths ages 12 and under; free for program participants and coaches. Event check-in and activities begin at 8:30am with the 5K beginning at 10am on Saturday, May 9 at Carson park.

Local Volunteers & Community Support Are Crucial

Now celebrating its 20th year, GOTR is well-versed in sharing its mission – to create a safe place for girls to be joyful, healthy and confident – and knows that message can’t be accomplished without the dozens of volunteers who participate each year.

The Girls on the Run 5K alone requires significant participation from volunteers – about 150 of ‘em, Dolan-Neil said – to truly create event magic.

This year, one of the event’s most popular pre-race activities, the “Happy Hair” station, will be managed by students from the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC).

“Imagine lining up, watching your best friend and your best friend’s dad get their hair spray-painted orange and tied up in bows with some skillful hands,” Dolan-Neil said. “Magic!”

CVTC students part of the EMS program, too, will volunteer to ensure participants’ safety.

Other volunteers and community partners will be on-site, including organizations and businesses which financially support GOTR and have aligned missions, Dolan-Neil said.

"This is really true of much of our programming: we rely on volunteers to implement our programming at schools in our region. Without their big, huge hearts, there is no Girls on the Run."

ROSE DOLAN-NEIL

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GIRLS ON THE RUN CHIPPEWA VALLEY

Area university students often help with day-of efforts, including something as simple and impactful as cheering on the 5K participants. This year, those cheerleaders will include the UW-Eau Claire Men's Rugby Team players, Dolan-Neil said.

But the work won’t end after the final participant crosses the finish line at this month’s 5K event. Perhaps lesser known are GOTR’s various addition programming and year-round efforts, including the “Heart & Sole” program for middle school-aged girls.

That program is not currently active because it needs schools and volunteers to “get on our train,” Dolan-Neil said.

“This is really true of much of our programming: we rely on volunteers to implement our programming at schools in our region. Without their big, huge hearts, there is no Girls on the Run,” she continued. “Many of our volunteers are teachers, guidance counselors and staff from the schools we serve.”

The lessons participants take from GOTR programs are numerous; sometimes, it’s the people – those volunteer, adult coaches – that really make the biggest impact, Dolan-Neil said.

“Oftentimes I’ll hear stories about how (program alumni) wouldn’t have been in a sport after elementary school if it wasn’t for GOTR introducing them to team work,” she said. “Or that they decided to go into a leadership role after learning their strengths in Girls on the Run.

“So many of the stories I hear are of positive coaches who make difference in girls’ lives.”

As Dolan-Neil reflects on the “honor” of guiding GOTR Chippewa Valley, she acknowledges the road hasn’t been – and won’t be – easy. She gave a nod to those local women and individuals who have contributed over the years and a call for community support.

“As with any nonprofit, fundraising is incredibly challenging and our current climate has made funding even more competitive,” she said. “Our community will always need organizations like Girls on the Run to provide nurturing, supportive programming to girls when they need it the most.”

Learn more about and consider supporting Girls on the Run Chippewa Valley at www.gotrchippewavalley.org • This year’s 5K at Carson Park (100 Carson Park Dr., Eau Claire) will begin pre-event activities at 8:30am with the 5K itself beginning at 10am on Saturday, May 9 • Interested in becoming a volunteer or other ways to support Girls on the Run Chippewa Valley? Reach out at rose.dolan-neill@girlsontherun.org