• LaAmistad Buckhead 5K. Atlanta, GA. Saturday, February 25, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. Proceeds benefit the LaAmistad Child, Youth and Family Programs. A Peachtree Road Race Qualifier. For more information and to register, click here.

• Haiti’s Heroes 5K. Norcross, GA. Saturday, February 25 2012, at 8:00 a.m. 100% of the profits of Haiti’s Hero’s 5K goes to a new building for the Hope Haven Orphanage in Haiti. For more information and to register, click here.

• Hotjog 6K – Pavement to Trails. Marietta, GA. Sunday, February 26, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Metro Atlanta Fire Fighters Conference to provide highly valuable training to local firefighters at little or no cost in an effort to increase knowledge, skills, and abilities of those who serve. For more information and to register, click here.

If you have a race you’d like us to blog, please email your information to info@girlsontherunatlanta.org.

• Run the Reagan Half Marathon/10K/5K/Fun Run: Snellville, GA. Saturday, February 18, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Gwinnett Community Clinic and YoungLife. For more information and to register, click here.
• Great Amazing Race for Youth: Chatahoochee Nature Center, Roswell, GA. Sunday, February 19, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. Teams of 2 (adult/kid or kid/kid) complete a 1 mile cross country course that includes up to eight fun-filled stations with tasks such as games, relays, obstacle course and more. Qualify for National Championship and chance to win $2,000. Proceeds benefit Active 30! Family Initiative. For more information and to register, click here.
• Locomotive Half Marathon and Locomotive Thunder 5K: Kennesaw, GA. Sunday, February 19, 2012, at 7:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit 65 Roses. For more information and to register, click here.

If you have a race you’d like us to blog, please email us a link to your info at info@girlsontherunatlanta.org.

• Suwanee Sweetheart Sprint 5K. Suwanee, GA. Saturday, February 11, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Buford/North Gwinnett. The race winds through historic Old Town and provides a good short  training run for those preparing for the Atlanta Half Marathon as it has a couple of impressive hills. For more information and to register, click here.

• Hearts and Soles 5K. Decatur, GA. Saturday, February 11 2012, at 8:00 a.m. This is an out-and-back course on paved roads and is one of the flattest courses in the Grand Prix Series. For more information and to register, click here. Free for Atlanta Track Club Members.

• Mardi Gras 5K. Marietta, GA. Saturday, February 11, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta. For more information and to register, click here.

If you have a race you’d like us to blog, please email us a link to your info at info@girlsontherunatlanta.org.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon registration opened this week and is filling rapidly! If you are planning to run the marathon as a SoleMate this year, you’ll want to register as soon as possible (only 15,000 spots left!).  Good news – fundrasing dollars from all Atlanta SoleMates running the Chicago Marathon will come back to the Atlanta council!

The Chicago Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 7 starting in the beautiful Grant Park. SoleMates participating in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will be completely cared for by Girls on the Run – Chicago. Over race weekend, runners will have access to cheer squad shirts for their friends and family. All athletes and their supporters will also have access to a private pre- and post-race meeting space with food, beverage, gear check and bathrooms.

SoleMates® are men and women who pursue individual goals, such as running a marathon, to raise money for Girls on the Run of Atlanta programs and scholarships. The SoleMates program provides a great opportunity to give girls an example of healthy living.   By joining Girls on the Run of Atlanta  SoleMates, you can play a vital role in ensuring the future success of Girls on the Run programs that impact on the lives of thousands of young women every year. If you have questions, please contact solemates@girlsontherunatlanta.org.

Happy running!

• Women on the Move Kick-Off: The Atlanta Track Club’s Women on the Move Training Series is a women’s-only 5K training program that prepares novice and intermediate runners for the Atlanta Women’s 5K on Saturday, March 24. The goal of the program is to provide a fun, motivating running environment that helps women start their journey toward health and fitness. The series kicks off February 4th at 8:30 a.m. at various locations including Phidippides and West Stride.

• Lace Up and Live Strong 5K: Suwanee, GA. Saturday, February 4 at 8:00 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation. For more information and to register, click here.

• Norcross Blue Devils Run 5K Run & 1 Mile Fun Run: Norcross, GA. Saturday, February 4 at 8:45 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Norcross High School Cross-Country team. For more information and to register, click here.

If you have a race you’d like us to blog, please email us a link and race information to info@girlsontherunatlanta.org.

• Atlanta Mission 5K: Atlanta, GA. Saturday, January 28, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Atlanta Mission and their race to end homelessness. For more information and to register, click here.
• Frosty Fun 5K: Brookhaven, GA. Saturday, January 28, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. This family 5K benefits  Kindred Spirit, an Atlanta based Christian residential home for pregnant teens. For more information and to register, click here.
• Tartan Trot 5K/1K: Dunwoody, GA. Saturday, January 28, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. Proceeds benefit St. Luke’s Youth Missions and Outreach Partners. For more information and to register, click here.

Additionally, check out this great ticket offer from the Hawks! Click on the image below to order tickets. Password: ksalmonsen

We’re looking for 50-100 runners to join our team at the Publix Marathon and Half Marathon on March 18, 2012.

No cost to you and lots of perks:

• No additional cost to runner
• Easy gear drop off & pick up race day morning
• Snacks and heated tent to meet up with friends and family members after the race
• Be entered into a chance to win a refurbished Garmin watch, which you can pick up at the race Expo

Sound easy enough? Here’s what you need to do. Email the following information to info@girlsontherunatlanta.org by February 9, 2012.

• Name
• Email you used to sign up for the race
• Are you running the Marathon or Half Marathon?
• Contact email (if different from above)

We’ll email you a week before the race to let you know our Race Expo location and our Race-Day tent location.

Thank you,

Girls on the Run of Atlanta

Need a new running song or a little pick-me-up for the afternoon? You’re gonna love this new song. Written by singer and songwriter Jessica Sands, it sums up what it means to be a “Girl on the Run.” Sands was inspired to write the song for GOTR after running a Girls on the Run 5K as a running buddy. Check it out and share with your friends. You’ll be singing it all day. 

Click here for video. 

Below are the lyrics so you can sing along (and know the words).

Girls on the Run Song Lyrics

~Singer and Songwriter Jessica Sands

G-I-R-L-S

G-I-R-L-S

Girls on the Run – Yea

Girls on the Run – Yea

[Repeated by Girls]

[Repeated twice by Jessica Sands]

She sees the starting line.

She just can’t wait.

Her heart is pounding.

Yea she knows it’s fate.

The count goes off.

The wait begins.

Her breath is steady.

She’s with her friends.

She’s a Girl on the Run – Yea

Knows how to have fun – Yea

She’s a Girl on the Run – Yea

Knows how to have fun – Yea

She’s a Girl on the Run.

Her spirit’s strong.

At every stage.

Body racing.

Her mind engaged.

With the team united.

They breakaway.

Determination.

We all win today.

She’s a Girl on the Run – Yea

Knows how to have fun – Yea

She’s a Girl on the Run – Yea

Knows how to have fun – Yea

She’s a Girl on the Run.

Life changes course in a flash.

Let it last. Let it last.

Life changes course in a flash.

Let it last.

Life changes course in a flash.

Let it last. Let it last.

Life changes course in a flash.

Let it last.

Up ahead.

The finish line.

Faces they know.

Screamin’ out their name.

Adrenaline pumpin’.

So much to gain.

Feelin’ elated.

As they’re crossin’ the line – Yea

This is the time – Yea

We’re Girls on the Run – Yea

Know how to have fun – Yea

Girls on the Run – Yea

Know how to have fun – - Yea

Girls on the Run.

• MLKDay5k. Lenox Mall, Atlanta, GA. Monday (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day), January 16, 2012, at 9:00 a.m.  $5 from each registration will go to Girls on the Run of Atlanta. So be sure to sign up under the “Girls on the Run” team when you register! For more information and to register, click here.

• Run for Cover 5K. Milton High School, Milton, GA. Sunday, January 15, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. Bring an article of new or gently used winter clothing or a non perishable food item. These will be donated to North Fulton Charities to help local families this winter. For more information and to register, click here.

• Join Girls on the Run of Atlanta on Saturday, January 14, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. for our SoleMates Kick-off and free New Balance and Phidippides Training Runs for the Publix Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon.  We’re looking for SoleMates - men and women who want to sponsor a Girls on the Run girl for our spring program. You run your race (5K, marathon, half marathon, etc.) and fundraise for Girls on the Run. SoleMates® play a vital role in ensuring the future success of Girls on the Run programs that impact on the lives of thousands of young women every year. For more information, email solemates@girlsontherunatlanta.org.

• 7th Annual Run with the Dogs Frostbite 5K. Decatur, GA. Saturday, January 7, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Decatur Bulldog Boosters to help fund the sports programs at Decatur High School and Renfroe Middle School. This event features a 5K (3.1 mile) course where participants can run or walk with (or without) their dogs. T-shirts, awards, and treats will be available to participants as well as a sporty “race”-kerchief for canine companions. For more information and to register, click here.

• 6th Annual Wonderful Days of Winter 5K/1 Mile. Marietta, GA. Saturday, January 7, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Wonderful Days Preschool, Inc. a Pre-K program for low-income children in operation since 1974. For more information and to register, click here.

• MLK Day 5K. Atlanta, GA. Monday, January 16, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. $5 from each registration will go to Girls on the Run of Atlanta. So be sure to sign up under the “Girls on the Run” team when you register! For more information and to register, click here.

If you have a race you’d like us to blog, please email us a link to your info at info@girlsontherunatlanta.org.