May’s Girl Hero is our fabulous 5K event coordinator, Ilana Balint. Ilana has been involved with producing the Girls on the Run 5K since 2013! As the founder and race director of Run for Good Racing Company, she makes planning huge events like GOTR Puget Sound’s 20th Birthday 5K look like a piece of cake! In reality, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes planning that makes these events so special for our participants, volunteers and families. Over the years, Ilana’s efforts have allowed our 5K events to grow with our council, and she says, “It has been such a privilege to see how the organization has grown from a small race at Seward Park with just a few hundred participants, to Magnuson Park with a thousand participants and now to Renton Stadium with thousands of participants. I produce a lot of races and this one is by far the most spirited, animated and colorful one!”

We’re so excited to again be offering our 5K event in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This event would not be possible without Ilana’s tireless leadership, positive can-do attitude and awesome sense of humor. We appreciate you, Ilana, and look forward to many years of partnership ahead! Thank you for making this magical event so special for everyone!