Ready, set, go! How to get your unit running

Our latest Girls’ Attitude Survey shows that while many girls love being active, barriers (like body confidence and safety) can sometimes get in the way.

In the last year, to avoid sexual harassment, 12% of girls and young women aged 11-21 have changed where they exercise and 11% have changed what exercise they do.

At Girlguiding, we’re all about helping girls find what makes them feel powerful, and sometimes, that’s as simple as putting one foot in front of the other.

Running isn’t just about fitness. It’s a brilliant way for girls to boost their confidence, clear their heads, and discover that their bodies can do amazing things.

Being active in a unit setting is different from PE at school. By keeping running fun, non-competitive, and safe within our units, we’re helping to break down those barriers. When girls exercise in a supportive environment, they tell us they feel happier, less stressed, and more ready to take on the world!

How to get your unit moving

If the idea of running feels a bit daunting to your girls, the key is to keep it light and low-pressure. Here’s how to start:

• Keep it fun: If they’re laughing at a ridiculous themed race or playing a fast-paced game, they won’t be too focused on how they’re being active, they’ll just be having a great time with their friends.
• Focus on encouragement: Create a supportive atmosphere where every effort is celebrated, and make sure to celebrate the girl who kept going just as much as the girl who finished first. When someone finishes, make sure they cheer others on!
• Make it non-competitive: Focus on personal bests rather than beating others. It’s about ‘I did it!’, not ‘I won!’
• Volunteer at local events: You don’t have to be running to be part of the action. Units can get stuck in by volunteering at local races or marathons. You might be giving out medals, handing out water or cheering people on, as well as inspiring girls to give running a go.
• Feel comfortable and supported: The right kit can make a huge difference to a girl's confidence and safety. Make sure they’ve got access to water, and are wearing comfortable clothes and sturdy footwear before starting.

And remember, whether it’s finding a perfect pair of trainers that offer the right grip or a lightweight, breathable waterproof jacket, GO Outdoors can help girls find exactly what they need with at least 10% off for Girlguiding members.

9 running-based games to play

1. Tag - 1 person is 'it' and must chase the others to tag them with a light touch. Once you’re tagged, you become 'it' and the chase starts all over again. There’s lots of different variations of tag too.
    
2. Sharks and minnows - 1 or 2 sharks stand in the middle of the space while the minnows line up at one end. When the sharks shout, the minnows must move to the other side without being tagged. If a minnow is tagged, they become a shark. The last minnow left is the winner!
3. Red light, green light -  1 person is the stoplight at the far end of the space. When they shout ‘green light’, everyone moves toward them, but when they shout ‘red light’, you must freeze instantly. If the stoplight sees you moving after the red light, you need to go back to the start line. The first person to reach the stoplight and tag them wins the round and becomes the new stoplight.
4. Capture the flag - Divide into 2 teams with 2 territories. You must sneak into the other side, grab their flag (you could use a necker), and run it back to your base without being tagged. If you're tagged in enemy territory, you have to go to their jail, a designated area in their zone. To be released, a teammate must tag you in jail without being caught themselves. The first team to successfully bring the opponent's flag back to their own base wins the game.
5. What time is it Mr. Wolf? - The wolf stands with their back to the group. The girls ask the time and take that many steps forward. When the wolf shouts ‘dinner time!’, they turn and chase the group back to the start. If the wolf tags you during the chase, you become the new wolf for the next round!
6. Duck duck goose - Everyone sits in a circle while one person taps the tops of their heads saying ‘duck’. When they shout ‘goose!’, the tapped person must jump up and race the caller around the circle. The caller wins if they can make it all the way around and sit in the empty spot before the goose tags them!
7. Cops and robbers - Divide the unit into 2 teams: the cops and the robbers. Set a timer for however long you want the game to last. The cops must chase the robbers around the space and tag them to send them to a designated jail. Robbers can be set free if a teammate who hasn't been caught yet runs into the jail and tags them. The cops win if they manage to get all the robbers into jail at the same time. The robbers win if at least one of them stays free until the time is up.
8. Steal the treasure - Divide the unit into 2 teams, and give everyone a number. Place a treasure (a necker or beanbag) in the centre of the space. When the person leading the game calls out a number, the girl from each team with that number must race to the centre and grab the treasure. They then need to race back to their team line without being tagged by the other runner to score a point for their team. The team with the most points at the end wins.
9. Brownies vs broomsticks - Divide the group into 2 teams. Ask the groups to form 2 lines and stand back-to-back with someone from the opposite team. 1 line are 'Brownies' and the other line is 'broomsticks'. If the leader calls ‘Brrrr.....ownies’, the Brownies race quickly to their safe zone and are chased by the broomsticks. The broomsticks must try to tag them. The Brownies get a point for every girl on their team that reaches the safe zone without being tagged. If the leader calls ‘br....oomsticks’, the Brownies chase the broomsticks and they try to reach their safe zone to get points. The team with the most points at the end wins. You could change this for your section, such as 'Guides vs guitars' or 'Rangers vs ravens'.