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 Krista Reilly, a longtime coach, educator, and passionate advocate who has championed Girls on the Run for 17 seasons–bringing the program to three different schools throughout her career in education.
Krista first got involved with Girls on the Run after completing her second marathon. “I saw the benefits of the training, the group runs, and the overall sense of accomplishment,” she says. “I saw GOTR as a way to share those benefits with girls at my schools.”
Over the years, Krista has seen firsthand the impact the program can have on girls–especially those who may not have found connection or confidence elsewhere. “I remember seeing girls in the hallways at my school who were once shy and withdrawn have true connections with their GOTR teammates,” she recalls. “They were excited to see each other, they had team spirit, they had confidence we had never seen before–and it showed in their classroom performance, their participation, and their engagement at school.”
Krista has brought GOTR to schools with different cultures and communities, and she’s witnessed how the program adapts and uplifts each one. “Girls who may have never been friends otherwise found ways to build relationships, develop communication skills, gain confidence in themselves as a friend, and work together for a common goal,” she says. Whether they were chasing lap goals, completing their first 5K, or collaborating on a community impact project, she’s seen those lessons stick with them long after the season ends.
She’s also seen how Girls on the Run complements the social-emotional learning her team intentionally built into their school curriculum post-COVID–something the program has been embedding in its lessons for years. “Many times, I have been able to rely on the girls in class who participated in GOTR to model lessons, speak on difficult content, and serve as group leaders during tasks involving role play and reflection,” she says. “We are seeing leadership skills emerging in them as a result of being part of GOTR–even if just for one season. It is powerful to see.”
When asked about the most impactful moment from her time with Girls on the Run, Krista thinks back to fall 2009: “I remember seeing sisters in 4th and 5th grade grow into leaders in the course of one season. They became friends with younger girls in 3rd grade, took them under their wings and helped them feel a sense of belonging. That same season, my own sister came to visit from New York and ran the 5K with us. That end-of-season race continues to stand out to me.”
As Girls on the Run Georgia continues to celebrate 25 years of impact, we are grateful for dedicated individuals like Krista whose passion and leadership help make this program possible for so many girls. Thank you, Krista, for your years of dedication and for all that you do to inspire and empower the next generation!