An incredibly moving and incredibly sad story from the world of running has spread across the internet over the last 24 hours. It has been reported by media in America that Gabriele Anderson Grunewald, an American distance runner who has heroically battled cancer over the last decade, was moved to comfort care Sunday after her health deteriorated.
If you don't know her story, Grunewald has been an inspiration for so many over the last number of years, competing at an elite level in long distance running despite suffering from a very rare kind of cancer.
Her husband Justin penned the following instagram post describing her condition yesterday.
Justin also asked people to share their final messages to his wife, and the world of athletics and beyond have been hailing the Minnesota runner for the last 24 hours.
Just heard the news on @gg_runs someone who I’ve never met but seen compete many times. Her story is inspiring and she is an incredibly brave person. A measure of ones character is not about their successes but how many times they’ve gotten back up when knocked down.
— Brian Gregan (@BrianGregan89) June 10, 2019
An incredible women of strength & talent. https://t.co/M811PVe1Ii
— Natalya Coyle (@Natalyacoyle) June 10, 2019
To me, @gg_runs embodies the highest values we idealize in human beings, both in competition and in the wider world. An absolute inspiration #bravelikegabe https://t.co/EziQ0hkyVQ
— David Epstein (@DavidEpstein) June 9, 2019
Gabriele Grunewald has inspired so many people with her bravery and courage. Every time I read about Gabriele I am moved and full of so much admiration for her. #BraveLikeGabe @gg_runs
— Jo Pavey (@jopavey) June 10, 2019
Dear @gg_runs - thank you for being the embodiment of grace, grit, and perseverance. The world is a better place because of you. Rest easy, knowing you are so loved #BraveLikeGabe https://t.co/9JNvYQqN3P
— Amelia Boone (@ameliaboone) June 9, 2019
Grunewald had attempted to qualify for the 2017 World Championships despite having half her liver (and a tumour) removed. This 25-minute documentary that Gabriele did with her shoe company Brooks captures Grunewald's cancer battle, and her fighting spirit, poignantly.
As Gabriele wrote in 2017:
Full-time professional runner, part-time cancer fighter.
Or is it full-time cancer fighter and part-time professional runner
The truth is these days, I’m not really sure.
Gabriele has become something more than that - she's become an example of everything we as humans can be.
