Non-Profit Status
Running Start is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, FEIN 47-5684786.
Our Mission Statement
To provide women with barriers to fitness the confidence, courage and community support they need to change their lives through running.
Who?
We pair Beginner Runners – women who have always wanted to start running but have barriers to fitness – with Personal Motivators – women who have found strength, confidence and courage through running and want to pay it forward.
What?
We give them the tools to start running and train for their very first 5k.
Where?
Running Start operates its life-changing program in Colorado.
When?
Training spans the course of 10-12 weeks each year. Time of year varies.
Why?
As women, we are driven to give back and help others discover the things that have helped us most in our lives.
How?
Through an incredible, supportive community of runners and partners, we are able to give Beginners the running start they need to change their lives!
Our Three Pillars: Educate – Motivate – Transform
EDUCATE
Starting a new activity can be overwhelming and intimidating. Our goal is to provide all Beginners with as much information they need to begin their running journey safely.
We provide safe, effective training plans. Beginners can choose among three different plans from walking the 5k to a walk/run strategy to running the entire 5k.
We also provide various educational clinics including nutrition, cross training, injury prevention and more.
All it takes to change your life is the first step.
“I wanted to believe, I wanted to be this person, but I really didn’t believe. It took someone else believing in me first.” — 2015 Beginner Kara B. (left) with her Personal Motivator and new-great-friend Monica K. (right)
MOTIVATE
The key to Running Start’s success is that we pair every Beginner with a Personal Motivator. Personal Motivators are not coaches or counselors. They are real women who have found strength, courage and confidence through running and they want to give this gift back to another woman who needs to change her life.
Studies have shown that people are more likely to stick with a program if they are accountable to someone else. Just knowing that someone is going to call or email to ask how your workout went, increases our chances of actually doing said workout!
Personal Motivators provide a lifeline for brand new runners who often want to give up after the first few workouts. They are the first responder who helps her understand this crazy new world of running and holds her hand as she meets her new community.
Meet Monica K. (left), 2015 Personal Motivator to Beginner Kara B. She shares how important it is for Motivators to be “REAL” people who have dealt with their own issues to help make the road less intimidating for Beginners.
“I’ve had many barriers to overcome, so not only could I provide Kara valuable tools and resources, I could also provide inspiration.”
TRANSFORM
A woman walks in the door one person.
Nervous. Scared. Insecure.
10-12 weeks later she graduates with a new identity — Runner.
Confident. Courageous. Motivated. Transformed.
Running Start 
I work full time, would I still be able to do this program?
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Yes! This program is meant to help you adapt fitness into an already busy, and sometimes stressful, life. You would work with your Personal Motivator to figure out how to add the training. The time commitment will vary by week, but you can plan 2-4 hours per week to start. Please apply!
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I did apply but have not heard from anyone
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We will be sending out emails in mid February.
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I LOVE THIS! I just signed up! Thank you!
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I would like to join the group
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I would like this very much! My husband is an avid runner (3-5 half marathons per year, 1-3 marathons per year) and I always feel like I am too far behind him to start running. I’ve signed up for my first race next February and am looking for motivation now so my training program (starting in October) doesn’t feel so scary. How can I apply?
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Hi Maddi! Apologies for the late reply. Our applications usually start Jan 1, but we are making some exciting changes to our program in 2020. Please follow us on Facebook for the latest up-to-date information.
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I live in Louisville , Ky , but would love to joint your group . Do you ever do workshops or any other type of event that I could come in for ?
Sounds like you have a fabulous group of ladies !
Thanks !
😉 Tracy Gibson
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Hi Tracy! Right now our program is located in the Front Range area of Metro Denver/Boulder. We don’t do workshops, but stay tuned for some exciting changes in 2020. Our Facebook page is the best place to find out what we are up to!
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Hi, my name is alma Cortez, I would like to join the group, I leave in colorado, please tell me how can I join the group
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Hi Alma. Right now our program is only offered on the Front Range/Denver Metro area. Sorry we cannot be of more help for you right now!
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Please change the word joint to join !!! Thx !
Tracy
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Haha! No worries.
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Do you do this program outside of denver?
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Hi Afton! Right now we are just in the Front Range area of Metro Denver/Boulder, but you never know what the future may bring. Thanks for reaching out!
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Hi, I live in the Littleton area—any groups near there? I am very interested!
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Hi Tricia. We will be opening applications for the Front Range/Metro area Feb, 1 2020. Follow us on Facebook for news or check back here then for the applications.
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I think this might be a good fit for me as I really want to get back to running and being more fit. Are you doing this in Boulder?
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Hi Ruth! Yes, we will be accepting ladies from Fort Collins to south Denver area. Application open on Saturday, so please check back then and apply. We’d love to help!
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I’d like to be a mentor for runners. How can I help?
Bonnie in Boulder.
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