From Girls on the Run Berks
Girls on the Run Berks invites the community to lace up and join them for their annual celebratory 5K on Saturday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to noon, at Penn State Berks Campus in Reading, PA. The event is open to the public and is expected to bring together more than 500 participants, including program participants, families, volunteers, and community members.
This year’s event is especially meaningful as the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary nationally, marking three decades of empowering girls through movement, mentorship, and life skills development. Girls on the Run Berks has been serving the local community for 13 years.
The Girls on the Run Celebration is more than a run. It is the culminating event of an eight-week program designed to inspire confidence, build friendships, and teach essential life skills to girls in grades 3-5 (Girls on the Run) and grades 6-8 (Heart & Sole). Through a blend of physical activity and meaningful lessons, participants develop skills that support their emotional, social, and physical well-being.
“This event is a celebration of everything our participants have worked toward all season,” said Amanda Ford, Executive Director of Girls on the Run Berks. “Crossing the finish line represents more than completing a run; it’s about recognizing inner strength, building confidence, and realizing what’s possible.”
Ford, who joined Girls on the Run Berks just two months prior to the fall season’s 5K, shared that this spring event marks her first opportunity to experience the full program journey from start to finish.
“To see the season come together, from the first practice to the final steps across the finish line, is incredibly special,” Ford added. “It truly highlights the impact of our coaches, volunteers, and the strength of this community.”
Participants of all abilities are encouraged to attend, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility. Each girl who completes the program will receive a commemorative medal, symbolizing her growth and accomplishments throughout the season.
With mental and physical health challenges continuing to rise among youth, Girls on the Run remains dedicated to providing a positive, supportive environment where girls can thrive. Through running-based activities, interactive lessons, and community impact projects, the program empowers participants to build resilience, develop healthy habits, and form lasting connections.
The Girls on the Run Berks Partner Park and Team Zone open at 8 a.m. Opening ceremonies start at 9:15 a.m., followed by the 5K start at 9:15 a.m. The event will be held rain or shine!
Proceeds from the event directly support Girls on the Run Berks programming, helping to expand access and provide scholarships for local participants.
The Girls on the Run Berks 5K is made possible through the generous support of local sponsors and community partners who are committed to empowering girls across Berks County. Girls on the Run Berks extends its sincere gratitude to its 2026 sponsors, including MADJ Marketing, Brentwood, Body Zone Sports and Wellness Complex, ROG Orthodontics, Molly Hottenstein Orthodontics, Gage Talent & Business Solutions, Reading Hospital – Tower Health, Tompkins, Performance Toyota, Breidegam Family Foundation, East Penn, Diamond Credit Union, Fleetwood Rotary Club, Penske, M&T Bank, and American Crane & Equipment Corporation.
About Girls on the Run Berks
Girls on the Run Berks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. Through their programs, girls develop critical life skills, foster meaningful relationships, and gain the confidence to navigate life’s challenges.
About MADJ Marketing
MADJ ( \ ˈmaj \ ) is a group of passionate storytellers and creative marketing experts who service accounts both locally and globally, with a client portfolio showcasing our work throughout North America, Central America, Europe, and Asia. We are located in Berks County, perfectly situated between Allentown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Philadelphia. MADJ specializes in branding and rebranding, traditional and digital graphic design, recruitment and talent acquisition marketing, web design, and comprehensive social media administration and advertising. We’re visionaries and have successfully created award-winning video projects, beautifully crafted web designs, high-end event productions, and executable marketing strategies built to scale and built for real-world success.
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