UrbanPromise Trenton is one of our GOTR NJ East community-based teams, giving girls in the city a space to move, grow, and shine together.
At UrbanPromise Trenton, the Girls on the Run team is filled with energy, laughter, and a whole lot of heart. Three long-time participants—Zayla (13), Jamayne (12), and Trinity (10)—shared what the program means to them. Together, their reflections offer a joyful glimpse into GOTR through the eyes of the girls who make it come alive every season.
Each girl brings her own spark to the team, but together they represent what makes GOTR so special: friendship, confidence, and the courage to keep going.
Zainy Zayla: The Confident Leader
Now in her third year with the team, Zayla loves GOTR for the friendships she’s made and the fun of the 5K—especially the first one she ever ran.
“When I finished the 5K, my legs were tired but it felt great because I never ran three miles before. Seeing everyone cheering felt really good. I felt like I achieved something I never thought I could.”
Zayla says GOTR has helped her find courage, both on and off the course. Whether she’s baking cupcakes or trying a new sport, she pushes herself to keep going. Her dream? To one day go to college on an athletic scholarship.
And her nickname for the UrbanPromise Trenton team? “Bikini Bottom!” she laughs. “We’re all different like the SpongeBob characters—but we work together.”
Jolly Jamayne: The Motivator
For Jamayne, being part of GOTR is all about having fun and staying “on track”—both in running and in life.
“I’d call our team ‘Girls Stay on Track,’” she says with a smile. “It’s about running, but also about staying on track in life.”
At her first 5K, she was nervous, but once she found her rhythm, she realized how strong she was. That lesson stuck:
“When I have a hard test or something new, I remember that I did something hard before—like running the 5K. So I keep going.”
Jamayne’s favorite GOTR memories include a Thanksgiving celebration the team shared—“kind of like having Thanksgiving with your family.”
Teal Trinity: The Encourager
Fifth-grader Trinity has been part of GOTR for three years, and she’s learned what it means to find her Happy Pace—and her kindness.
“You don’t need to copy others or have a race,” she says. “You can just go your own pace.”
Her favorite lesson from GOTR? Treating others the way you want to be treated. It’s something she carries with her every day—whether she’s singing, dancing, or cheering on her favorite football team, the Philadelphia Eagles.
And if she could talk to a girl who’s never done GOTR before, her advice is simple:
“You should try it! You might like it—and it’s always good to try new things.”
For these three teammates, GOTR is more than after-school fun—it’s a place to feel proud, supported, and unstoppable. Whether they’re chasing goals, cheering each other on, or laughing over too many Hershey bars after a 5K, Zayla, Jamayne, and Trinity remind us what GOTR is all about: joy, growth, and the power of believing in yourself.