About Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run of McHenry County is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping girls climb out of the “girl box” using a 24-lesson curriculum designed to promote good choice for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. The curriculum, designed specifically to address “girl box” issues, uses warm-up, and workouts which encourage emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical well-being. Girls on the Run of McHenry County prepares girls for a 5K run/walk event and challenges and encourages girls, whatever their fitness level.

About Laurie Dayon, Council Director

After reading about Girls on the Run in a magazine, Laurie Dayon’s initial thought was “I wish I had that as a kid!” She then decided that just because she didn’t have it in her community growing up, it didn’t mean that it couldn’t be in her community today and she quickly placed a call to Girls on the Run International. Laurie started Girls on the Run in McHenry County in 2007. In addition to GOTR McHenry County, Laurie has volunteered on the marketing board for the McHenry County Youth Service Bureau for four years and serves as Race Director for the YSB Our Kids, Our Future 5K. She has also taught marketing and advertising classes at McHenry County College. Previously, Laurie was a marketing manager for Motorola in Schaumburg. Laurie started running in junior high and since then has turned to her running shoes as a source of overall health and peace of mind. She has completed two Chicago marathons, a half-marathon, a sprint triathlon, and various shorter distance races. Laurie lives in Crystal Lake, IL with her husband Steve; two children, 5-year-old Caroline (a future Girl on the Run!) and 2-year-old Owen; and a one-year-old Bernese Mountain dog, Winnie. She earned her MS in Marketing from Roosevelt University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University.