Katie Helbig – Program Director

Katie Helbig, Program Director, has been a girl on the run for a long time, but now she’s thrilled to be an “official” Girl on the Run serving as Program Director for the St. Louis council. Her journey with Girls on the Run began as a volunteer coach at the first Girls on Track (middle school program) site in St. Louis in fall 2007. After several seasons of coaching, she got involved as a member of the board of directors and eventually transitioned to her current role as Program Director in the GOTR office. Katie was born and raised in St. Louis. She ran her first road race at the age of 5 and never looked back. Katie ventured from STL to attend the University of Dayton where she ran cross country and earned a degree in public relations.  She still enjoys running and racing, but has found that she gets the most out of running from girls who she has coached, both through Girls on the Run and at her high school alma mater, Cor Jesu Academy, where she’s the head cross country coach. Spending time with the love of her life, husband Matt, and their dog Magnolia, are also mainstays in her day. With a new baby on board, there’s never a dull moment in her life! Katie certainly tries her best to live the healthy and active lifestyle Girls on the Run is trying to instill in the young girls who participate in the program.

What’s your favorite GOTR moment?

Standing about 200 meters from the finish line at our 5k race and watching the girls’ faces light up with a sense of pride and accomplishment as they realize they are going to accomplish their goal.

Guilty pleasure?

Cheese and ice cream, but not together!

Place you’d most like to visit?

Australia

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I’m actually decent at cross stitching.