Girls Gotta Run

Sheena Dahlke - 2012

Sheena is Chair (Elect) of the Board raised funds for GGRF in 2012! Check out the results of her fundraiser HERE

Race: Chicago Marathon, October 7th 2012

Motivation: "As some of you may know, I like to use the marathons that I run as an opportunity to spread the word about and raise money for Girls Gotta Run Foundation, an organization that I am particularly passionate about. GGRF is now in a position to grow and even small donations can help it increase its impact in the lives of women runners in Ethiopia. fter completing my Master’s Degree in Mass Communications/Public Relations at University of Florida in May 2012, I am pleased to return to GGRF's Board of Directors this September as Chair of the Board. In that capacity, I will work closely with new Executive Director Kayla Nolan and Vice Chair Ashley Griffith Kollme. This fundraising effort holds special meaning for me because of my new position and because we have several new and exciting program initiatives, including an athletic scholarship program for girls in Addis Ababa and a new running program in Bekoji inspired by the Town of Runners film."

Kayla Nolan - 2012

Kayla Nolan is the Executive Director (Elect) of GGRF and reached her goal of raising $2,012 in 2012 for GGRF! Check out her fundraiser HERE

Race: Runner's World 10K, October 20th 2012

Motivation: "In 2009, at the age of 19, I travelled to Ethiopia to conduct a two-month research project on the empowerment of women through running. I spoke with the athletes of GGRF and girl runners in several towns throughout Ethiopia. What I found was a tenacious group of young women who had made the difficult and controversial choice to invest in themselves – in their health, their independence, their future. Over the past three years, I developed that research project into an academic article that I presented at national and international academic conferences, including the Sportswomen in Africa Conference at the University of Oxford. Today, I have the incredible opportunity to integrate this research into results-based programming that will work with the very girls I spoke with in Ethiopia to achieve their fullest potential through running.

This is a truly unique opportunity to have an impact in the lives of young women in Ethiopia and I am excited to invite you to join me in doing so. My goal is to raise $2,012 in 2012 for GGRF through my race this October. This money will be contributed to the funds needed to kick-start two new programs: The GGRF Team and Leadership Project: Athletic Scholarships for Female Future Leaders and The Bekoji Running Project in collaboration Running Across Borders, the Town of Runners and the Bekoji Youth and Sport Administration. With your help, we will be able to provide the resources needed by impoverished Ethiopian girl runners to become the empowered citizens, leaders and women they can be.

Thank you to everyone who has supported my work and the work of GGRF over the past few years, and thank you to everyone who is investing in the future of Ethiopian girls by contributing to this fundraiser. And thank you in advance to the person who may need to drag/carry me across the finish line of the 10K I am attempting to run – it’s been two years since my last road race…"

Joanna Johnson - 2012

Margaret Webb

Margaret Webb is an award-winning writer, author, journalist, screenwriter, editor and university instructor based in Toronto, Canada. She recently wrote an article about her experiences in Ethiopia with GGRF for Canadian Running Magazine. Read her article HERE

Race: Boston Marathon, April 16th 2012

Take a look at the success of Margaret's first marathon HERE

Motivation: "Last summer, I travelled to Ethiopia and met Girls Gotta Run runners, as well as young girls training at Merskel Square in the hopes of "making it big," to escape the grinding poverty they grew up in, which subjects girls to early marriage, forces them to leave school etc. Many girls have run away from home. If their running dreams don't work out, they may end up living on the street and working in the sex trade.

GGRF is about women helping girls become strong, independent, self-sufficient women.

You can read my story about Ethiopian women marathoners and the Girls Gotta Run organization on my website: www.margaretwebb.com "

Marine Corps Marathon 2011

On October 31, 2011, our team of ten runners completed the Marine Corps Marathon for the GGRF girls! 

Thank you Ricky Barrios, Julia Goldman, Anuradha Kannegundla, Ty Asfa, Sioban Castor, Miranda Barrett, Laura Dean, Sasha-Vanessa Brenes and Ann Maier!

Read the Washington Post article featuring the race HERE

Greta Stults

Greta raised over $1000 for GGRF! Learn more about her fundraiser HERE

Race: Chicago Marathon 2010

Motivation: "I am running my big race this year -the Chicago Marathon- to raise money for impoverished Ethiopian girls training to be professional runners, and in doing so, finish their education (the vast majority of Ethiopian girls will never even reach secondary school). By supporting me in my fundraising efforts as I train for and run the Chicago Marathon, you can forever change the lives of girls and their communities in Ethiopia! Any amount you can donate will be welcome-- whether it's $10 or $100, your support will make a difference."

Adrienne Wald

Race: Philadelphia Marathon 2010

Visit Adrienne's Firstgiving page

Motivation: "On November 21, 2010 I'll be doing my favorite half marathon course in Philadelphia (where I ran my pr marathon in 2004). I also won my age group (50-54) at the half marathon in 2006. I have slowed down more than I'd like since then, but will get out there and do what I can. I've been doing some of my training with the Gunkers (up in New Paltz) when I can and a group of us who ran the Burlington VT marathon/half marathon in the spring will be heading to Philly in November.

I don't usually do this, but I will be running as part of a fundraising team for Girls Gotta Run Foundation (GGRF), an organization that I have been lucky enough to work with for awhile. My goal is to raise AT LEAST a $1,000 -- but much more is welcome!"

Ashley Griffith

Race: Philidelphia Marathon 2010

Visit Ashley's Firstgiving page

Motivation: "As some of you already know, I am currently training for the Philadelphia Marathon which takes place on November 21, 2010. This race is important to me because I am training and racing as a fundraiser for a very worthy organization I support, the Girls Gotta Run Foundation (www.girlsgottarun.org).  I’m running this race 'FOR THE GIRLS!' As a runner, I am drawn to this organization’s mission to empower young women through the sport of running. My goal is to raise $2,500 to support our teams in Ethiopia. It would mean a lot to me personally, and more importantly, to our girl runners in Ethiopia, if you would consider making a donation to Girls Gotta Run.  No donation is too small!"

Hannah Stone 2009

Hannah Stone was a happy runner on Saturday, March 21, 2009 after she successfully completed the National Marathon, in which she also raised money, and even more than her goal amount for GGRF! For the running girls in Ethiopia that we support, thank you, Hannah!

Sheena Dahlke - 2009

Erin Kordis - 2009

Erin Kordis ran her second marathon for GGRF on Sunday, October 25, 2009, and due to a very large and generous support network, she was able to singlehandedly raise almost $900. She says she felt blessed that not only was it "an absolutely gorgeous fall day in the District," but that she also met her personal goal of finishing in less than 4 hours (3:56:55 to be exact). She is eventually looking to do another to "shave off" another 16 minutes in order to qualify for the Boston Marathon. So...we say, you continue to... GO, GIRL, GO!!

Erica Nemmers 2009

Erica Nemmers ran the 2009 Chicago Marathon for Girls Gotta Run Foundation. Thanks for the support Erica!

San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon 2008

June 10, 2008: Two runners on a team of six, raced in the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon for both Amigos de Boliva y Peru and Girls Gotta Run Foundation.