Marlies Ray (née Kanthak, then Helbig, born 10 January 1958) is a retired sport shooter from East Germany.

Competing for Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik (GST)-Club Leipzig, her first international competition was in 1974 in Thun, Switzerland.

[2][7] Her strong performance was the main reason for the East German women to win the team competition.

[10] At the 1976 European Championships in Skopje, Yugoslavia, Kanthak was again beaten by Pelova in the 50 m rifle three positions event, but the GDR women won gold as a team.

[11] In the 50 m rifle prone event, Kanthak showed poor form and came fifth as an individual but won silver with the team.

[13] At the September 1977 European Championships in Bucharest, Romania, Kanthak did not place among the top ten in the mixed 50 meter rifle prone event but was the highest-placed competitor from East Germany.

[17] She competed under her married name Helbig at the 1978 European Championships for women and juniors in Hämeenlinna, Finland, in the 50 metre rifle three positions event and won a silver medal.

[19] At an international competition in Suhl, East Germany, Helbig equalled her 1977 world record in the 50 m rifle three positions event.

[22] As the Eastern Bloc boycotted the 1984 Summer Olympics, Ray competed at the Friendship Games in Moscow instead.