For nearly a decade, Hilary Biggs has been a steady, joyful force behind Girls on the Run NJ East’s 5K celebrations— shaping events filled with smiles, confidence, and community and helping participants cross finish lines they’ll never forget.
As Course Director for GOTR NJ East’s 5K events, she is one of those rare behind-the-scenes heroes whose impact quietly strengthens every race morning. She jokes that she’s not even sure what her “official title” is—but anyone who has worked beside her knows exactly what she is: essential.
Hilary’s GOTR journey began in 2016, when she partnered with Anne Klein to produce our very first end-of-season Girls on the Run 5K: the event for Mercer and Burlington teams at Stuart Country Day School. It was a joyful chaos of tie-dye, costumes, and pure GOTR spirit—an instant hit that cemented a collaboration spanning more than a dozen events (and counting).
Together, Hilary and Anne have built countless race mornings from the ground up—cones, signage, start lines, finish chutes, safety checkpoints, and all the tiny details that make a 5K feel magical. Each event, she says, “has been a joy to help bring to life.”
One of Hilary’s most unforgettable GOTR memories came during our first 5K at Branch Brook Park in Newark. The team was using a brand-new route—two overlapping loops along a gorgeous, tree-lined path. To the seasoned race directors who had carefully marked the path and turns, the course seemed obvious.
And then the race started . . .
Within minutes, girls began reappearing from every direction—popping out from behind trees, laughing as they darted across the grass, running straight toward the festival area.
“It felt a bit like herding cats,” Hilary recalls. But, in true GOTR fashion, the team managed it with humor, grace, and a sense of perspective: the girls were having an absolute blast. It became one of those perfectly imperfect moments that remind us what GOTR is really about—joy, movement, and connection—not perfection.
A lifelong athlete, Hilary knows firsthand the power of movement, coaching, and supportive communities. Those experiences shaped her, guided her, and instilled in her a deep admiration for strong, inspiring women athletes. She sees that same spark in her daughter, whose own involvement in sports has built confidence, resilience, and a steadfast spirit.
Outside of GOTR, Hilary serves as Race Director for Pacers Running, overseeing major events in the Washington, DC region. It was Pacers, in fact, that brought her and Anne together ten years ago in Princeton—proof that sometimes the right partnerships begin long before you know how meaningful they’ll become.
Looking ahead, Hilary’s wish for GOTR NJ East is simple and powerful:
“I hope GOTR continues to grow, thrive, and reach even more girls across New Jersey. The more girls who experience the program, the more strong, confident young women we send out into the world—and that impact will ripple far beyond the finish line.”
Join us in celebrating a woman whose quiet leadership creates joyful milestones for thousands. Hilary’s work ensures that every girl who steps up to a GOTR starting line feels safe, supported, and unstoppable.