Turkeys On the Run Making an Impact

When the St. Mary’s Girls on the Run group meets, the lesson isn’t just about stretching or endurance; it’s about friendship. Sitting together in a circle, the girls talk about things like kindness and confidence. 

The coaches, led by Early Childhood Teacher Karen Ullman Pai, use a nationally proven curriculum that combines physical activity with valuable social development. In the last five years, our 3rd through 5th graders have learned valuable lessons about managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy in a fun after-school club.

In the last five seasons, dozens of Lower School students have learned valuable lessons on growing up and developing meaningful friendships. The culmination of the program is a community-wide 5K in November and May each year, where students from across Memphis gather for a celebration. 

The weekly lessons are led by parent volunteers and junior coaches, St. Mary’s Upper School students, many of whom were Girls on the Run members themselves. The coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development. The curriculum connects well with St. Mary’s Bridge to Caring character development program, which Coach Pai says drew her to the program years ago.

Coach Pai’s favorite part of the program, however, is watching the girls bond, saying, “It's beautiful to watch the team become a family every season.” 

After their discussions, the team heads out for a run. “When we run, the girls have the best time chatting and meeting new friends,” says Coach Pai. The care and lessons don’t stop there, however. Coach Pai and her fellow coaches make sure the girls maintain a positive attitude toward their running and themselves. 

“We tell the girls that the goal is to finish the Celebratory 5K at the end of the season, and then we talk about how we can reach this goal,” explains Coach Pai. “We remember our 'happy pace’ and we encourage each other to be the best participants we can be.

At the end of the season, the SMS Gobble Gobble team has the opportunity to show off their athletic skills and celebrate the valuable lessons they have learned. 

In addition to their curriculum on friendship, the SMS GOTR coaches teach their students the importance of giving back to the community. 

Coach Pai says, “SMS Gobble Gobble GOTR girls know they have a unique opportunity to help other GOTR Memphis sites, so we like to give back through Unstoppable Us,” a student-led fundraiser that helps ensure all girls across Memphis can join Girls on the Run, regardless of financial situation. During the Spring 2026 season, our SMS chapter raised over $1,000 for the Unstoppable Us fund in just a few months. 

In addition, the St. Mary’s Girls on the Run team won the city-wide “Race to Registration” Challenge for the second time this past academic year. The challenge encourages girls to invite their friends and families to the celebratory 5K race and join in on the Girls on the Run fun. “It’s not mandatory,” says Coach Pai, “but wow, the girls love to share their experiences with friends and family.”

By the end of every season, the SMS Gobble Gobble girls have done more than crossed a finish line; they have developed friendships, improved their confidence, and grown valuable skills in empathy and service. 

Join Girls on the Run this fall. Sign up on UltraCamp.

Written by Kate Prillaman '23