Running Community Pays Tribute to Gabriele Grunewald
The 32-year-old national champion and advocate for rare cancer research passed away Tuesday at her home in Minneapolis.
Published June 12, 2019 09:59AM
In the wake of Gabe Grunewald’s death Tuesday, the country’s top runners continue to share their memories and reflections of a friend and peer whose legacy extends far beyond the sport she excelled at.
“Like so many of you, I woke up with a heavy heart today,” wrote two-time Olympian and world silver medalist Kara Goucher Wednesday morning. Her comment was posted along with a photo of the moment Gabe became the 2014 USA indoor women’s 3,000-meter champion. Her arms are stretched wide, and her smile even wider. “In this moment she realized she was as good as she dreamt she’d be. She was a national champion and heading to the World Championships. She had no idea of the battle ahead, she was allowed this moment of happiness.”
Kara, like many others, went on to thank Gabe’s husband, Justin, who since June 2 has followed his wife’s brave footsteps and shared their toughest moments with the world. “Thank you Justin for sharing your personal and painful journey with all of us,” she continued. “For letting us in. We are so grateful to have known Gabe and her fight. We will all think of and love her forever.”
She finished her post with a quote Justin wrote on June 10, in a letter to Gabe that he shared on Instagram: “At the end of the day people won’t remember the PRs run or the teams qualified for but they will remember that hard period in their life where they were losing hope but they found inspiration in a young lady who refuses to give up.”
Gabriele “Gabe” Grunewald transcended the sport of running and the accolades of most athletes. She made people smile, believe, fight, endure—and truly live. And as the outpouring of social media messages below show, this world will forever be a better place because of it.
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To make a donation to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation or find out more about its mission, visit the website.
Amanda Eccleston, professional runner for Brooks running:
in her times of sickness and hurt, @gg_runs chose not to retreat into herself and shrink from the world; instead, she overcame the pain to fight for what she believed in and make life better for others
may she forever serve as an example of true strength #BraveLikeGabe
Chip Gaines, host of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper” and marathon finisher:
I knew @gg_runs for less than 2 years, but those weren’t an ordinary 2 years. Time for her was more like jet fuel, and she burned through every drop. I’m going to go on a long jog today in honor of you gabe! and I promise, til we meet again.. to be Brave! #BraveLikeGabe
