It promotes health and growth and confidence. But Girls on the Run (GOTR) Lancaster is also about stamina; it's about finishing the race.

GOTR Lancaster is in the process of putting the wraps on another fall season. If participation and impact are any indications, the current season has been an overwhelming success.

"Girls participate in our program for every reason imaginable," said Jennifer West, co-founder of GOTR Lancaster. "They stick with it because it's fun. Our program is a developmental program that focuses on the whole girl. The girls learn about who they are and how to make good choices. They learn how to be good friends and how to choose good friends."

GOTR Lancaster will conclude its 10-week fall season on Sunday, Nov. 24, at Millersville University's Pucillo Field, 105 Pucillo Drive, Millersville, with a session-ending 5K fun run beginning at 2:30 p.m. More than 1,400 runners are expected to attend, including most of the GOTR Lancaster participants and members of their support teams, as well as community members.

The 5K fun run is open to the public, and runners can register at http://www.gotrlancaster.org up to and including the day of the event. GOTR is also seeking fun run volunteers for the event.

"It's a day when girls, coaches and family members come out and celebrate the accomplishments of these 10 weeks," said Jessica Wilson, GOTR Lancaster's program and 5K fun run manager. "There are a lot of cheer groups along the course, and it just makes it a really special day for the girls. Sometimes they're running with their coaches, and sometimes they're running with family members. The finish line is just a magical place. It's emotional for all of us to watch them achieve their accomplishments."

During the fall season, which began on Sept. 16, 650 girls in grades three through eight from all over Lancaster County and parts of Lebanon County participated in the GOTR Lancaster program. The GOTR program is designed for girls in third through fifth grades, while girls in sixth through eighth grades participate in Heart and Sole.

The 43 teams of participants, supported by more than 200 volunteer coaches, met twice a week within the boundaries of every Lancaster County public school district, at some county private schools and in the Lebanon city, Cornwall-Lebanon, Eastern Lebanon County and Annville-Cleona school districts in Lebanon County. The meetings consisted of some sort of physical activity, including running; social and emotional curriculum; and varying forms of support.

"We have girls from all walks of life who have experienced all types of things at this point of life," said Kylie Homan, GOTR Lancaster's program director. "For these girls, now is when they're really trying to understand themselves and how they fit into this world. Participating in Girls on the Run gives them the foundations to build strong relationships and life skills, not just for now, but into the future. We want girls to participate in any way they're comfortable. There is research that suggests that a combination of physical activity and emotional support is the best way to help the whole person."

An international program, GOTR was founded in Lancaster in 2009, with two teams and 25 girls. GOTR Lancaster expanded into Lebanon County in 2017, and to date the program has been used 22,000 times by about 12,000 girls.

"We thought this was something Lancaster was ready for," said West. "We grew quickly. We were just seeing as many girls as possible. Now, we're going deeper and finding out where we're not reaching. The participants are really learning how to be part of a larger community."

Registration for GOTR's spring 2025 season will open on Friday, Feb. 7, and the 10-week session will commence during the week of March 10.

For additional information about Girls on the Run Lancaster or to volunteer, go to http://www.gotrlancaster.org.