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Fulda -
Slayton
By Crystal Reith Girls on the Run (GOTR) participants celebrated another season with their commemorative 5K run in Sioux Falls on November 1.
GOTR is a national nonprofit program that inspires girls in grades three to five to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that integrates running. Local programs in Fulda and Slayton are offered through EmBe of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Ashley Nankivil serves as the site coordinator and coach for the Fulda GOTR program. She first became involved about eight years ago as a volunteer coach in Slayton.
“I was asked to be a volunteer coach for GOTR in Slayton and after witnessing the positive impacts this program had on the girls, I knew it was something I wanted to try to get started in Fulda,” said Nankivil, of Fulda.
Now, in its third season in Fulda, the program began in spring 2024 and has continued through the fall seasons of 2024 and 2025. Each season runs eight to 10 weeks, with meetings twice a week for girls in grades three through five. Participation has steadily grown from nine girls in the first season to 13 this fall.
“Girls on the Run is so much more than just running,” Nankivil said. “The life lessons this program has to offer are so valuable, not only for the participants but the coaches as well.”
The national GOTR curriculum focuses on building selfconfidence, teaching social and emotional skills and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Each season ends with the girls completing a celebratory 5K.
“The goal is to help girls gain self-confidence, build social and emotional skills all while encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle by working towards an end goal of completing a 5k.” she said. “They learn how to handle some life stressors and challenges by utilizing tools from their GOTR toolbox that they can use for the rest of their lives.”
Although Nankivil doesn’t currently have any of her own children involved in the program, she enjoys watching the girls grow in confidence, learn important friendship tools along with positive self-talk and successfully completing a 5K.
“Every season is different and may bring different challenges, but each season also brings a lot of joy and laughter with it,” said Nankivil, who hopes her own four-year-old daughter will participate in the program when old enough. “No matter the age of the participant or coach, everyone involved with this program walks away with at least one positive life lesson.”
Nankivil appreciates help from Fulda’s GOTR coaching team that includes Jen Hart, Anita McNab, Julia Wright and Shannon Cowdin.
“As with every small town program, it takes a village to make it successful. Thank you to the parents who enroll their child, to the girls who continue to choose to participate, to the school for providing a safe space to practice at and to the volunteer coaches who take time out of their day to help and lead.”
In Slayton, Katie Chapman has served as the GOTR coordinator and coach for nearly eight years. Slayton’s team, based at the Murray County Central elementary school, has been active for many years, with Chapman taking over coordination from Lauren Biegler in 2019.
“When I was approached about serving as coordinator, I was intrigued by the ability of GOTR programming to positively influence young women in both body and mind. The program is designed to instill bravery, emotional awareness, athleticism and joy in all participants, and does so through thoughtful lessons and running opportunities,” Chapman said. “I knew I could have benefited tremendously from a program like this when I was young, and I couldn’t wait to enroll my own daughter.”
Chapman’s daughter Lydia participated in the program for three years, completing three 5K’s along the way.
“It was such a beautiful thing to be alongside her as her mom and see her blossom into such an amazing kid,” said Chapman, of Slayton.
Slayton’s GOTR team meets Mondays and Thursdays during the fall, serving about 20–25 girls from grades three through five. Practices include lessons focused on empathy, kindness, and emotional awareness, followed by running time and a snack.
“Curriculum is designed to address growing opportunities in girls such as emotional intelligence, believing in oneself, building friendships, being kind and respectful, emotional coping skills, good communication and so much more,” Chapman said. “The activities are ageappropriate and keep the kids moving through a series of challenges and initiatives, with discussions laced through each activity to evaluate for student understanding.”
One popular local tradition for the MCC GOTR team is the donut run, an optional family 5K held over MEA in October, where participants and families celebrate their progress with donuts after the run.
As the season ends, the team also completes a community service project. Past projects include fleece tie blankets for families in need, bracelets for new GOTR runners and inspirational posters hung around the school.
“The GOTR season lasts for eight weeks, culminating with our GOTR 5k in Sioux Falls,” Chapman said. “Hundreds of girls, coaches and running buddies from all over southwest Minnesota and southeast South Dakota gather for a massive 5K run together. It’s electrifying and the girls’ favorite part of their GOTR experience!”
Chapman said she has seen first-hand the impact the program has on young girls navigating a complex world.
“We meet the girls at such a tender age where they’re constantly trying to measure up to ideas of how they should act, and how they should be in a crazy, busy world,” said Chapman. “They’re told, through social media, marketing, stereotyping, and other means, that they’re not enough being exactly who they are. GOTR
