Girls on the Run is celebrating its 30th season of supporting girls with its annual 5K run.
Girls on the Run is a nonprofit organization that uplifts girls from third to eighth grade and encourages physical activity. Coaches teach lessons that combine physical activity with life skills to help participants feel confident handling life's challenges. Each season ends with a 5K run to create a tangible sense of accomplishment, the Girls on the Run website says.
Both Girls on the Run and its Southeastern Michigan branch — which serves Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, Lenawee and Jackson counties — are celebrating major anniversaries in 2026. Girls on the Run began in 1996 and is concluding its 30th season, while its Southeastern Michigan branch, started in 2001, is concluding its 25th season.
Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan is hosting its annual 5K on campus at Eastern Michigan University on May 9, 2026, from 9-11:30 a.m. Anyone is welcome to participate in the event, including those with no prior connection to Girls on the Run.
Online registration costs $35 and will be open until noon Friday, May 8, 2026. Participants can also register in person at event for $40. On-site registration will be open from 7-8:45 a.m. the day of the run, and participants can pay with cash or card only, according to the Girls on the Run SEMI website.
The 5K run is non-competitive and just for fun. Girls on the Run encourages individuals to run with a friend to create a more positive experience, an informational email said. The race will include roughly 2,500-3,000 runners, so participants should plan to arrive early to accommodate the crowd.
Portions of the roads used for the course will be closed to ensure safety for the runners. Partial road closures will include portions of Ann Street, West Forest Avenue, Oakwood Street, Mayhew Street, and Cornell Road. The Girls on the Run website provides a course map for reference. Participants may enter the event from Ann and Mayhew Streets before 8:15 a.m. All cars entering and exiting after 8:15 a.m. must use Mayhew Street.
There will be two water stations on the course and one at the finish line, and food trucks will be available. People not running in the event are welcome to watch and enjoy the food trucks. Non-runners do not have to pay the registration fee.
Every participant will earn a medal to celebrate the race, and Girls on the Run encourages everyone to wear their medals out in public Monday, May 11, 2026, for Medal Monday, an informational email said.
For more information, see frequently asked questions on the Girls on the Run website.
