For Malibu Moves founder Erica Segel, a race should be about more than the finish line. Since the event’s inaugural year, she has been focused on creating a race experience that makes movement feel accessible and welcoming to people at every level, with an emphasis on building confidence and community along the way.

From our earliest conversations with Erica, Girls on the Run LA was struck by her focus on the runner at the back of the pack. Rather than designing an event primarily around speed and competition, Erica talked about “reverse engineering” the experience, thinking first about what a runner who is struggling, walking, or finishing last is seeing and feeling, and what message they take with them. 

“We want every girl at Girls on the Run to know that she belongs, that she is capable, and that her effort matters,” said Alison Levinson, Executive Director of Girls on the Run LA. “From our very first conversation with Erica, I was struck by how closely her vision for Malibu Moves aligned with what we believe at Girls on the Run. She was thinking about the experience of the person who might not be the fastest or most confident runner in the group and asking how to design a race experience around a sense of belonging and accessibility.”

That shared perspective is one reason Girls on the Run LA is proud to be part of the Malibu Moves Charity Program. Through the program, runners and movers can raise funds for a cause that matters to them. Over the past two years, Malibu Moves participants have collectively raised more than $110,000 for charitable organizations.

“We support Girls on the Run because we believe in what they’re building,” Erica said. “Our community shows up for them through volunteering and through the Charity Program, funding confidence in girls before the world tries to talk them out of it.”

That mission of helping girls develop confidence, navigate challenges, build meaningful connections, and recognize their strengths extends naturally to our SoleMates program, which gives adults the opportunity to take on an athletic challenge while raising funds to help more girls experience Girls on the Run.

For board member and SoleMates Task Force Chair Ellie Clark, the connection is personal. A Girls on the Run alum herself, Ellie’s experience as a participant helped bring her back to the organization as an adult. Now, she supports SoleMates runners as they set goals and raise funds for Girls on the Run.

“SoleMates is how our whole community gets to be part of the mission—not just the girls on our teams, but the neighbors, parents, and alumni who run, walk, or move for them,” Ellie said. “Malibu Moves resonates so much because it’s built on the same idea GOTRLA is: every pace, every person, every girl belongs. Knowing that every mile raised helps fund a girl’s season somewhere in LA County makes the partnership feel like a natural extension of who we are."

Those fundraising dollars help Girls on the Run LA bring its program to more girls across Los Angeles County, giving them the opportunity to build confidence, develop resilience, and discover what they are capable of.

The Malibu Moves partnership brings together runners, volunteers, sponsors, and non-profit organizations around the belief that movement can connect people and create a positive impact beyond race day. And you don’t have to consider yourself a serious runner to participate.

This fall, Girls on the Run LA SoleMates will participate in Malibu Moves on October 24 and 25. Charity entries are available with no upfront cost, and SoleMates commit to raising $500 for Girls on the Run LA while training for a distance of their choice. 

Whether you’re an experienced runner, returning to running after a long break, or looking for a new challenge, we’d love to have you on the team.

Learn more about becoming a Girls on the Run LA SoleMate.

We’re grateful to Erica and the Malibu Moves community for creating an event that makes room for runners of all kinds and recognizes the importance of investing in young people’s confidence.

Read more about Erica’s story and the vision behind Malibu Moves in her recent VoyageLA feature.