Mahwah's Girls On The Run Unites Young Athletes Amid Coronavirus

MAHWAH, NJ — For Mahwah's Girls on the Run, practices, races and other training were altered by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. But that didn't stop the girls from racing, and learning much more along the way.

When the spring running season came to an abrupt stop earlier this year, the organization's coaches and council members sought to quickly adapt how they could engage with the girls, and train in new, safe ways.

"In the spring, the girls were so ready to get the season started, and then everything shut down," said coach MaryEllen Branna.

Girls on the Run is a national non-profit which aims to build confidence in girls and young women through running. So for the organization's leadership and coaches, making sure to maintain an open line of communication was of utmost importance.

Branna was among the coaches tasked with figuring out how to do that for her young runners. For her, it was through Zoom meetings.

"It was a great opportunity for them to express their feelings and process what all of this means. At the same time they could talk about normal things like if they went for a run that day or their favorite ice cream," Branna said.

As spring and summer turned into fall, the organization rethought what they could provide to their team of runners.

"Our goal was to provide an in-person program for the girls to safely come together to run, talk and grow; emotionally and physically," said Council Director Maureen Dykstra.

Meeting in small teams, trained volunteer coaches inspired the girls and pushed them as athletes through the training. New safety protocols were implemented, including physical distancing measures, outside meetings, wearing masks and using hand sanitizer.

But, perhaps more importantly, the fall Girls on the Run season gave them a sense of normalcy.

"We talk about how we can best adapt to different things like using Zoom or when we can’t have a friend over or something gets cancelled," said Ella, a 10-year-old runner.

"It’s fun to open up to others and to see how hard you can push yourself," she added.

The fall running season culminated with a goal achieved for the runners when they completed a virtual 5K race.

Runners also gave back, the organization said, completing a community service project around the same time.

The project and the 5K are interconnected, according to Branna.

"It’s about first teaching them to take care of yourself through exercise and by speaking for yourself, and then having them learn to give back and how the joy that spreads makes you feel even better," said Branna.

For Branna, and she believes for the girls in the program, running, now more than ever, is a tool that can provide guidance and clarity in many life situations.

"It’s been such a joy to see them feel good about themselves and support each other," said Branna "As a runner myself, I appreciate what a great tool it is, it’s such a gift."

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