One week later, and we are still holding onto the magic of Spring 2026 5K Day.

On a bright Sunday morning, more than 2,100 participants gathered together — Girls on the Run teammates, families, coaches, volunteers, running buddies, and supporters — all moving toward one shared finish line. There were 65 Girls on the Run teams represented and 140 volunteers helping bring the celebration to life.

But as with every Girls on the Run 5K, the day was about so much more than numbers.

It was about stories.

Stories of courage.
Stories of resilience.
Stories of community showing up exactly when it is needed most.

Among the thousands of smiling faces at the start line were Adilyn Frady and her mom, Courtney Frady.

In September, Adilyn lost her dad, and Courtney lost her husband.

In the months since, grief has become part of their daily landscape — but so has running.

Step by step, mile by mile, movement has become one of the ways they have learned to cope, to process, and to begin healing together.

Just before the race began, I had a chance to spend a quiet moment with Adilyn and Courtney at the start line, sharing encouragement and positive energy before they set off on the course.

Adilyn and her mom, Courtney, sharing a moment together before the start of the Spring 2026 Girls on the Run 5K.

Adilyn was excited. Brave. Ready.

When asked how Girls on the Run has impacted her, her answer was simple, but powerful:

“It has made me feel better. It has made me feel stronger.”

Then she shared something that stopped me in my tracks — that even without having her dad here, this program has taught her that she is strong and that she can do hard things.


Before the race, Adilyn proudly showed off the words written on her arm: “I can do hard things.”

When asked what she would tell another girl who may need encouragement before joining Girls on the Run, Adilyn smiled and said:

“You can do whatever your mind sets to.”

Beside her, Courtney’s eyes glossed over as she added softly:

“Keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when it gets hard.”

And in many ways, that became the heartbeat of the day.

Because that is what Girls on the Run has been doing for 30 years.

Helping girls and the people who love them — keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Through joy.
Through uncertainty.
Through growing pains.
Through loss.
Through the moments life feels heavy.

This program gives girls tools for the 5K, yes — but even more importantly, it gives them tools for life: confidence, emotional strength, connection, and a community that reminds them they never have to navigate hard things alone.

I was lucky enough to catch Adilyn and Courtney crossing the finish line together.


Adilyn and Courtney after completing the Spring 2026 Girls on the Run 5K together full of smiles.

It was one of those moments that makes time slow down.

A proud moment.
An emotional moment.
A deeply inspiring moment.

Not because they finished a 5K.

But because together, they showed us what Girls on the Run has always been about:

moving forward, even when the road feels impossibly hard.

As we celebrate 30 years of Girls on the Run Greater Charlotte, stories like Adilyn’s remind us that this program is not simply about training girls to run.

It is about helping girls discover their strength.
Helping families find community.
Helping hearts heal.
And creating spaces where every single participant is reminded:

you are stronger than you think, and you do not run alone.

Thirty years later, that mission still meets girls exactly where they are — and carries them forward.