Girls on the Run Georgia is celebrating 25 years of inspiring confidence in girls across Georgia, and each month, we’re spotlighting supporters who have played a crucial role in shaping our council.
This month, we’re proud to spotlight Becca Rackley, one of our longest-standing coaches and a passionate advocate for our middle school program, Heart & Sole.
Becca’s Girls on the Run journey began much like many of our participants’: by overhearing a conversation about practice while settling into a new school. She had just started running and was eager to connect. “I asked if I could join, thinking they were just going for a run,” she recalled. “But it turned out they were part of the coaching team. I signed up and immediately felt like I had found where I was meant to be.”
Since then, Becca has poured her heart into the program, coaching season after season and showing up consistently for middle school girls during some of their most formative years. For her, the magic of Heart & Sole lives in the relationships that take shape over time.
“It’s not just one story–it’s what happens every season,” she shared. “Girls who may start off as classmates or even strangers grow into friends, supporters, and teammates. That kind of connection is the heart of what we do. Especially in middle school, those friendships are everything.”
As a teacher, Becca sees the pressures young girls face daily. That’s why she finds such joy in the simple, unfiltered moments that happen during practice. “Whether we’re playing a silly game, running laps, or just waiting for pick-up, I love when I see every girl laughing, smiling, and being completely present. There’s no pressure to act a certain way–just a group of young people having fun and being themselves. That’s something we don’t always get to witness in a classroom setting, and it energizes me every time.”
Her time with Girls on the Run has also strengthened her own beliefs about how to truly support young girls. “They don’t need us telling them who or how to be. They need us to show up, listen, and let them know it’s okay to be exactly who they are–whether that’s silly, strong, loud, sad, reserved, fast, or relaxed,” Becca said. “All girls need champions in their corner. The more people encourage and believe in them, the better.”
When asked what Girls on the Run means to her, Becca didn’t hesitate: “Support, acceptance, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every girl.” It’s a mission she lives out each season–and one she hopes continues to grow.
Thank you, Becca, for all that you do to inspire and empower the next generation!
