West Hartford Woman Honored With Major Volunteer Award

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A West Hartford woman who helped launch 'Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut' and has spent more than a decade supporting its programs has received an international volunteer award from the organization.

Jennifer Byrne was named a recipient of the "Girls on the Run International Remarkable Volunteer Award," an annual honor recognizing volunteers for their contributions to the organization and the girls and families it serves.

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Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut is a non-profit youth development organization that combines physical activity and running with life skills training for girls in grades 3 through 8.

Byrne has been involved with Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut since its early years and helped launch the council in 2015.

As a founding leader, she assisted in establishing its initial structure, community presence, and programming.

She later served as vice chair of the board, guiding the organization as it developed.

From 2016 through 2018, Byrne served as program coordinator, working with coaches, teams, and families and helping develop relationships with schools and community organizations.

Her involvement has also included extensive coaching. Byrne was a substitute coach from 2016 through 2019 and has served as a head coach each year from 2023 through 2026.

"Jen is such a force of nature, whether she's leading a lesson or running alongside the girls as they master skills for their first 5K," said Christina, a Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut board member and treasurer who previously served as an assistant coach with Byrne. "She's building future leaders and inspiring the love of running in girls."

Byrne has also supported the organization as a SoleMate, part of Girls on the Run's community of charity athletes and supporters. She raised nearly $2,500 to help provide access to the program for girls who otherwise might not have been able to participate, according to the organization.

She has also been a donor to Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut.

Byrne's connection to the organization now extends to her family, with both of her daughters participating in Girls on the Run.

"Jen embodies what it means to be a remarkable volunteer — a leader, a mentor, a champion for girls and a steadfast believer in the power of our mission," Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut Executive Director Tara Gill said.

"Our council would not be what it is today without her years of dedication and service," Gill said. "We are incredibly proud to see her recognized for the impact she has made and continues to make in our community."

Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut serves girls in third through eighth grades through a curriculum combining physical activity with social-emotional learning and life skills. The organization serves communities in Hartford, Tolland, Litchfield, New Haven, and Fairfield counties.

For more information on Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut, click on this link.