Meet Kate Barash-Engel, former Girls on the Run coach, hype leader, newest Board Member, and the heart behind the 5K warm-up at our Essex 5K! 

You might know Kate as a 5K warm-up leader or even our newest board member, but her journey with Girls on the Run began much earlier. It began as a coach in the Chittenden County area and naturally grew into a lasting connection. In 2010, she spent four seasons coaching with Girls on the Run and quickly found herself part of something special.

“I had the best co-coaches,” Kate says. When Kate coached Girls on the Run, it was never just about the laps. It was about being there for the girls, supporting her team, and living a mission she truly believes in.

“Coaches can lead by example and be the hope,” she says.

And that’s exactly what she did, week after week, guiding young girls through lessons that went far beyond running. Together, they built confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging that carried them through the season and beyond.

Her connection to Girls on the Run Vermont runs deep, shaped by the people who inspired her early on, including Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run International, whom she had the chance to meet, and Nancy Heydinger, founder of Girls on the Run Vermont.

“Nancy Heydinger and Molly Barker are two women who have really changed the game for young girls,” Kate says. “They understand what girls go through at that age and created something that helps support them through it.

 

Nancy Heydinger joining Kate and helpers at the 13 mile water stop at the Vermont City Marathon!

Kate doesn’t just believe in the Girls on the Run mission, she lives it. She even traveled to Arizona to attend a GOTR Summit back in 2011, Girls on the Run’s National Conference, an experience that brought together coaches and leaders from across the country to share ideas, build community, and deepen their impact. 

“Girls on the Run is a program that I get behind 100%,” she says.

"The philosophy is that moving your body should be FUN and sustainable. People stay active for life when they are given experiences that make them WANT to come back." 

That belief shows up in everything she does, from coaching, to volunteering, teaching Zumba, biking, to bringing the energy for our participants on event day.

Kate has supported the program in many ways over the years, including organizing the 13-mile water stop at the Vermont City Marathon for 6 years, which she described as an “epically fun experience.” GOTRVT participants joined her there, bringing incredible energy as they handed out water to marathon runners and cheered them on along the course. 

Kate and GOTRVT participants brought the energy to the VCM 13-mile water stop, cheering on runners and making race day unforgettable

Surrounded by the excitement of the race, they were all doing more than supporting runners, they were embodying what Girls on the Run is all about: spreading joy, building community, and celebrating movement.

Kate also shared how volunteering with Girls on the Run VT is often a family affair, with her family jumping in to support alongside her.

Kate, Kate's mom, step dad, and nephew volunteering at the GOTRVT 5K 2019

But it is her time as a coach that continues to stay with her most.

“Three of my seasons, I was blessed with a team that was challenging,” Kate explains. “My girls experienced a lot of trauma, adversity, and familial issues.”

Week after week, they showed up for each other. By the time race day arrived, the 5K was more than just a finish line, it had become a powerful celebration of resilience, growth, and connection.

“Getting to the 5K at the end of the season was incredible because we had been through so much together,” she says. “My girls were so proud of themselves, so proud of each other, and many of them had not been given experiences like this before.”

One moment from her time as a coach has continued to stand out to Kate over the years. During the culminating 5K, one of her girls sat down, exhausted and ready to give up. Another teammate stepped in to encourage her. Kate joined them, giving the runner a piggyback ride, but what mattered most wasn’t the lift... it was the support.

 

“The friend stayed with us the whole time,” Kate recalls. “It embodied the nature of the program: you stand up for your friends and help them.”

That moment, and the joy on race day, is something she still carries with her. “I felt so privileged to be a part of their journeys. It all culminated at the 5K, watching their joy. I have a visceral reaction every 5K with those memories.”

Today, Kate channels that same heart and energy into leading the 5K warm-up. As a Zumba instructor, she was a perfect fit when Nancy Heydinger asked her to take the lead, and now she’s the spark that gets the crowd moving, smiling, and ready to hit the course. She’s been leading the warm-up for about 10 years, since the event began at CVE, bringing consistency, joy, and plenty of energy to the start line every season.

If you’re wondering her secret to a lively warm-up, it’s one song. “Shake It Off!” she says. “Everyone dances!”

If she had to describe Girls on the Run in one word, Kate says: “Fun! Obviously!!” And that is exactly what she brings to every corner of this community. 

Thank you, Kate, for all you do for Girls on the Run Vermont, for your energy, your heart, and your unwavering belief in every girl who shows up. Feeling inspired by Kate’s story? Visit our website to learn how you can get involved and see how fun it truly is!