Gabe Grunewald’s Inspiring Journey Of A Runner

Grunewald’s Battling Cancer Through Running

Many people run marathons to support charities for noble causes, Gabe Grunewald’s journey of a runner is no different.

Grunewald is a former U.S. indoor track champion for the 3,000 meter race and continues to run through four bouts of cancer. He initial cancer diagnosis came in 2009 for adenoid cystic carcinoma while running for the NCAA at the University of Minnesota.

In March 2017 the cancer reoccurred causing Grunewald to have surgery to remove a large tumor removed from her liver, then more smaller tumors developed in her liver seven months later. The chemotherapy treatment proved to be non-responsive and has not stabilized after an immunotherapy clinical trial.

Through these bouts of cancer Grunewald finds refuge in her running and not letting a diagnosis get in the way. After meeting HGTV star Chip Gaines while running in Central Park back in October 2017, giving him the inspiration for a marathon.

Gaines started running as a recreational activity but found inspiration in Grunewald’s commitment to run through her multiple diagnoses of cancer. He also decided to create a new marathon that will donate 100 percent of proceeds to rare cancer research, including benefiting Grunewald’s Brave Like Gabe foundation.

The race was held the first week of May the first Silo District Marathon in Gaines’ hometown Waco, Texas. The marathon hosted 18,000 participants running a 5K and Half Marathon, raising $250,000 for rare cancer research.

Check out the video above to see the inspiration Gaines found through Grunewald’s determination.

Author: Karli Wallace

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