When Nick Farr first stepped into the world of Girls on the Run, he wasn’t sure what to expect. A seasoned endurance sports coach, he was used to working with highly trained athletes—not a group of elementary school girls eager to run, play, and share their thoughts. Despite his initial apprehension, GOTR quickly became a defining part of his life, shaping not only his approach to coaching but also his personal and professional relationships.
“I was downright terrified walking into my first GOTR practice. But looking back now, coaching has undoubtedly changed me in countless positive ways.”
As a new coach for the Hopewell team, Nick had the good fortune of working alongside Sarah, a coaching veteran with over 20 seasons of experience. Under her mentorship, he found his rhythm and confidence as a coach. While his role has evolved—he now serves as the Executive Board Vice President—his passion for GOTR remains just as strong. He still stops by to visit the “Unicorn-tastic” Hopewell team whenever he can and hopes to return to coaching in the future.
Memorable Moments
One of Nick’s most cherished memories comes from a season where a particularly energetic group of girls preferred cartwheels over running. Rather than fight their enthusiasm, he embraced it.
“I made a deal: if they promised to be respectful to the coaches and try their best during the last few weeks of the season, I would do my best cartwheel in front of the whole team. My cartwheel… was not great. But everyone had a good laugh watching my spectacular flop!”
Another memory that sticks with Nick is his unexpected nickname. During his very first practice, when it was time for the team to choose GOTR names, he picked “Nifty Nick.” The girls, however, preferred to pick Nick’s name for him.
“Unfortunately, the girls had other ideas and quickly turned it into a joke, calling me ‘Nauseous Nick’ instead,” he laughs. “Somehow, that name has been passed down from team to team over the years—and it still sticks to this day!”
Watching Confidence Bloom
Beyond the laughs and cartwheels, Nick has also witnessed firsthand the transformative power of the program. One participant, in particular, stands out—a third grader who started the season too shy to speak in the group.
“I will absolutely never forget the look of fear on her face as we went around the circle creating our GOTR names. When it was her turn, instead of words, she simply started to cry out of fear and nervousness.”
Week by week, she grew more comfortable. She started walking, then running. By mid-season, she was raising her hand to participate. By the end, she was one of the most enthusiastic and engaged girls on the team. But what moved Nick most was hearing from her mother, who shared how much her daughter had changed at home, too.
“Seeing her transformation at practice was amazing, but hearing that her confidence had grown so much that her mom felt compelled to share it with us? That brought all of our coaches to tears.”
Life Outside of GOTR
Beyond GOTR, Nick is first and foremost a devoted husband and father, relishing time with his family and making his one-year-old daughter laugh. Professionally, he works as an endurance sports coach, helping runners, cyclists, and triathletes achieve their performance goals. He also enjoys weightlifting, woodworking, and the occasional batch of chocolate chip cookies.
“My job is first and foremost about the relationship between myself and my athletes,” he says. “Coaching GOTR undoubtedly has helped me to build these connections, especially with my female athletes, stronger and better.”
Looking Ahead
As he looks ahead, Nick hopes to see GOTR continue to expand into communities that have historically lacked access to the program. And on a more personal level, he has one special wish:
“I would love to see the team at East Amwell Elementary return within the next nine years so my daughter can participate if she wants to.”
For Nick, what started as an intimidating challenge has become a source of joy, community, and deep personal growth. His story is a testament to what happens when you step outside your comfort zone—because, after all, “scary helps you grow.”
We’re thrilled to celebrate Nick Farr as the fourth voice in our 25 VOICES series—his journey, heart, and impact embody the spirit of Girls on the Run. Stay tuned as we continue sharing the stories of inspiring individuals who’ve left their mark on our program and the lives of so many girls.