For almost two decades, the Women’s 5K Classic and Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley & Pocono (GOTRLVP) have shared more than a partnership — they have shared a mission. Together, they have worked to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to discover her strength, build confidence, and experience the transformative power of movement and community.
As the legacy sponsor of GOTRLVP, the Women’s 5K Classic has invested in generations of young women across the Lehigh Valley and Pocono regions. Through ongoing grant funding, volunteer engagement, and community leadership, the W5K Classic has helped make it possible for Girls on the Run to remain accessible to every participant, regardless of financial circumstances.
“GOTRLVP is so grateful for the support of the Women’s 5K Classic,” says Executive Director Liz Fones. “The financial support has helped us ensure that we never turn away a participant due to financial struggles. In addition to the financial support, the volunteer commitment — from coaches to 5K buddies — makes this a partnership that is so important to our participants and to the community.”
Since establishing our partnership via grant distribution, the Women’s 5K Classic has allocated over $20,000 each year to fund tuition assistance to those most in need – a total of $313,000!
That impact reaches far beyond the finish line.
GOTRLVP serves girls in grades 3 through 8 through a nationally recognized, research-based curriculum that combines physical activity with social-emotional learning. The organization’s mission is simple yet powerful: to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident.
Through twice-weekly sessions led by trained volunteer coaches, girls participate in movement-based lessons that encourage self-expression, teamwork, emotional awareness, and leadership development. The program culminates in a celebratory, non-competitive 5K event that gives participants a tangible sense of accomplishment and pride.
At its core, Girls on the Run is about helping girls realize they are capable of more than they imagined.
The results are profound. Participants consistently demonstrate improved confidence, stronger self-esteem, increased physical activity, and better overall mental and emotional wellness. The program helps girls develop essential life skills while fostering the developmental assets that matter most: competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, and contribution.
The Women’s 5K Classic has played a critical role in making that growth possible for thousands of girls.
Accessibility remains one of GOTRLVP’s highest priorities. Nearly half of all participants receive financial assistance, and many require full scholarships in order to participate. While families contribute an average of $80 toward registration, the true cost of serving each participant exceeds $200. In 2026 alone, GOTRLVP anticipates awarding more than $150,000 in scholarships to ensure no girl is excluded because of financial hardship.
This commitment aligns directly with the mission of the Women’s 5K Classic: supporting programs that promote fitness, wellness, and opportunities for women and girls to engage in healthy physical activity.
Together, the organizations are also helping remove barriers beyond registration fees. From transportation assistance to inclusive programming for girls of all backgrounds and abilities, the partnership continues to expand access and opportunity throughout the community.
This spring, Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley & Pocono launched the third curriculum in its “Confidence Suite” in Spring 2026: Hello Bold Heart!. The curriculum encourages girls to use their voices courageously, communicate clearly, listen with empathy, and navigate conflict with confidence. Lessons such as “Heart Power,” “Explore Your Emotions,” and “Bold Sharing” are designed to equip girls with lifelong interpersonal and leadership skills.
More than 1,800 girls are expected to benefit from GOTRLVP programming in 2026, with approximately 70% residing in the Lehigh Valley area.
For the Women’s 5K Classic, supporting Girls on the Run is not simply about funding a program. It is about investing in future leaders, healthy communities, and generations of girls who will carry confidence and resilience with them long after they cross the finish line.
The partnership stands as a powerful example of what happens when organizations come together around a shared belief: that every girl deserves the chance to run toward her full potential.