Gabriele Grunewald passes away at age 32

Runners around the world are mourning the death of Gabriele Grunewald, who passed away last night at her home in Minneapolis. She was 32. Gunewald had been moved from hospital to comfort care on Monday, then back home as her condition deteriorated. She had been battling multiple cancers for a number of years, but the elite runner continued to train and compete whenever she was able to, and was a source of inspiration to athletes and others dealing with cancer.

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Grunewald was initially diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare form of cancer affecting the salivary gland, in 2009, and thyroid cancer the following year. She graduated as an NCAA All-American in the 1,500m, and pursued a professional running career despite dealing with several surgeries and chemotherapy. In 2014, she won the US indoor national championship in the 3,000m. Grunewald was sponsored by Brooks.

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In late 2016 she learned the cancer had spread to her liver, and she had an operation that left a long and visible scar on her abdomen, which became a badge of courage as she continued to race and began to speak publicly about her cancer journey.

Grunewald leaves her husband, Justin Grunewald, her parents, her sister and three brothers.

Click here to donate to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation, which she set up to fund cancer research.

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