Girls on the Run of NOVA Spring 2026 5K Volunteer Signup

Being a GOTR NOVA 5K volunteer is a fun and rewarding opportunity that helps thousands of participants across the NOVA area celebrate their limitless potential! Please register for the event of your choice.

The Jiffy Lube Live 5K will be on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.

The Arlington/Pentagon City 5K will be on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

- Runner info/Registration Tent - Before the race starts, runners and spectators may have questions. Sometimes runners pick up packets late, or want to register to run the race (if it has not already reached capacity.) Registration Tent volunteers assist those runners with picking up their race numbers and t-shirts, and help register those runners who choose to do so on event morning.

         - On May 16th at Jiffy Lube Live this shift will be from 6:00-8:30 AM

         - On May 17th in Arlington this shift will be from 6:30-9:00 AM

- Activity Stations - At this tent you will be helping GOTR participants "glam up" before the event kicks off. You will also assist family members interested in making posters and cheer signs to celebrate the accomplishments of the season. This role is focused on hospitality and helping the participants feel welcomed and appreciated.

         - On May 16th at Jiffy Lube Live this shift will be from 6:45 -9:30 AM         

         - On May 17th in Arlington this shift will be from 6:45-10:00 AM

- Start/Finish Line - There are a number of jobs for start and finish line volunteers and specific positions will be assigned the morning of the race: Medal Distribution: 5K finishers will receive a special medal to commemorate their accomplishments. Volunteers will stand near the finish line and give each finisher a medal. Water & Recovery Food: After the race starts, volunteers will distribute and replenish bottled water and bananas at the finish line. Volunteers will distribute food to runners in the finish line chute and replenish food, as needed. Clean-Up: Volunteers will help with cleanup and recycling after the race as necessary.

         - On May 16th at Jiffy Lube Live this shift will be from 6:45 - 9:30 AM         

         - On May 17th in Arlington this shift will be from 7:00-10:00 AM

- Road Runner - Each GOTR girl runs with a buddy runner, if a family cannot find one then the coach will request a community member to run with the girl. As a road runner your 5K bib fee will be waived and you will be assigned to a girl/team. All road runners must go through a background check at the expense of GOTR NOVA.

         - On May16th at Jiffy Lube Live this shift will be from 7:00-10:00 AM         

         - On May 17th in  Arlington this shift will be from 7:30-10:30 AM

- Bus Greeter - Bus Greeters are needed to greet the buses when they arrive and direct the runners to the start line area.

         - On May 16th at Jiffy Lube Live this shift will be from 6:30-8:00 AM         

-General Volunteer -  On event day, we have volunteer needs that arise throughout the venue.  General volunteers will help where needed. Examples include start/finish line, corral marshal, activity station, cheer station, etc.. 

 - On May 16th at Jiffy Lube Live this shift will be from 6:15 - 9:30 AM                  -

 - On May 17th in Arlington this shift will be from 6:45 -10:00 AM

- Parking - Before the race starts, participants will be arriving at the locations to utilize the designated parking areas on site. Parking volunteers will assist participants into the designated parking areas following the direction of the Parking Managers. Once parking support is done volunteers can head to the start/finish line to help with medal distribution.

         - On May 16th at Jiffy Lube Live  this shift will be from 6:00-8:30 AM 

          - On May 17th in Arlington  this shift will be from 6:45-9:00 AM 

- Course Marshal/Cheer Marshal - Course marshals direct runners as they make their way along the course and make sure that runners follow the course correctly and safely.  Cheer marshals are typically stationed toward the end of the course to primarily assist with crowd control as runners move toward the finish line.  Course marshals are also useful cheerleaders for runners – keeping their spirits high and providing them with encouragement!

         - On May 16th at Jiffy Lube Live this shift will be from 6:30-9:30 AM         

         - On  May 17th in Arlington this shift will be from 7:00 -10:00 AM

- Corral Marshal - Corral Marshals guide runners toward the Starting Line, staggering each group (or "corral") to the chute to ensure runners enter the course in a safe and orderly way.

- On May 16th  at Jiffy Lube Live this shift will be from 6:30 - 8:45 AM

- On May 17th in Arlington this shift will be from 6:45 -9:00 AM

- First Aid Documenter - First Aid volunteers will be stationed by the Start/Finish line and guide participants in need of medical assistance to the Medical Tent. These volunteers will not render first aid, but will complete the GOTR NOVA Accident/Injury report as appropriate.

- On May 16th at Jiffy Lube Live this shift will be from 7:00-10:00 AM

- On May 17th in Arlington this shift will be from 7:30-10:30 AM

Each category has a registration cap. Once the cap is reached, the category will be closed. 

- Bilingual (English/Spanish) Volunteer - Many of our participants and families indicate their preferred language as Spanish.  Bilingual volunteers, who can speak/read/write in both Spanish and English, will be positioned throughout the 5K in roles such as registration, etc.. to support our Spanish speaking participants.

-On May16th at Jiffy Lube Live this shift will be from 6:00-9:30 AM

-On May 17th in Arlington this shift will be from 6:30 -10:00 AM