Gabriele Grunewald

Birthday: 06/25/86 Mile PR: 4:21.3 (road) - 2013
Metric Mile (1500m) PR: 4:01.48 - 2013
High School: Perham HS '04
Hometown: Perham, MN
College: University of Minnesota '10
Current Residence: Minneapolis, MN

Foundation Website: bravelikegabe.org

Gabriele Grunewald (nee Anderson) won the 2015 Minnesota Mile in 4:38 into a stiff headwind for her second event title. In 2014, Gabe earned the GNC Live Mile Liberty Mile crown in 4:33 to defeat Team USA Minnesota teammate, two-time defending champion and event record holder Heather Kampf.

In 2013, Gabe captured the Minnesota Mile in 4:21.3, a PR, and she also smashed the course record and clocked the fastest Mile ever run by a woman in Minnesota!

In 2012, Gabe was fourth at the U.S. Olympic Trials 1500 meters and the runner-up at the Falmouth Mile (4:27.94, a track PR), and in 2011, she had a pair of third place Mile finishes at the USA 1 Mile Road Championships and also at the USA Indoor Championships.

At the 2014 USA Indoor Championships, Gabe, a 4-time cancer survivor, won the 3000 meters, her first USA title.

Anderson was the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships runner-up at 1500 meters, earning All-American status for the University of Minnesota as a Golden Gopher.

On June 11, 2019, Gabe, 32, after a 10-year on-and-off battle with a rare cancer, passed away surrounded by a world of love.

“My message is that it’s OK to struggle, but it’s not OK to give up on yourself or your dreams.”

FUN FACT: Gabe was a talented singer and loved to karaoke & dance.

@GG_Runs

News

Brooks honors Gabe Grunewald and supports local cancer research

October 09, 2020

The inaugural Brave Fellowship has been awarded to a rare cancer researcher Dr. Alyssa Webster

By Christina Ausley, Seattle P-I

Seattle-based Brooks Running, also known as Brooks Sports Inc., specializes in American apparel across the Seattle area and the world. While an ordinary year may...

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Brave Like Gabe Foundation honored with 2019 Toyota Humanitarian Award

December 10, 2019

Toyota will donate $10,000 to Gabriele Grunewald's rare cancer research foundation

From USATF

RENO – The late Gabriele “Gabe” Grunewald, a cancer research advocate and 2014 USATF Indoor 3000m champion who passed away in June at age 32 following a decade-long battle with cancer, was honored...

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Gabe Grunewald tribute planned at USATF Outdoor Championships

July 25, 2019

“I want her legacy to be a legacy of someone who persevered and continues to persevere.”

From Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Justin Grunewald carries a lock of her hair with him as a remembrance. He has countless photos of her on his phone, along with rich stories from so many.

He...

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Hassan breaks women’s Mile world record

July 12, 2019

Three other national records and numerous personal records set at inaugural Brave Like Gabe Mile

Mike Rowbottom for the IAAF

MONACO - Sifan Hassan, who arrived on the Stade Louis II track tonight as the third fastest female Miler of all-time, departed the Herculis EBS Diamond League meet as...

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Herculis announces Brave Like Gabe Mile

July 01, 2019

World class field expected to honor Gabriele Grunewald who set two personal records at Monaco meet

From Herculis meet for the IAAF

Organizers of the Herculis meet announced on June 25 – on what would have been Gabriele Grunewald’s 33rd birthday – that the women’s Mile event at the IAAF...

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Perham to host “Gabe Day” event on June 28

June 26, 2019

"It’s a chance for the community to say that we are proud of what she did and honor her family.”

By Forum News Service

Gov. Tim Walz presented a proclamation declaring Tuesday, June 25, as "Gabe Day" at a memorial run in honor of 2004 Perham (Minn.) High School graduate Gabriele Grunewald...

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Gabriele Grunewald remembered as she lived her life: Running for hope

June 18, 2019

“Gabe would have loved this. The rainbows are out. The sky has cleared. This is the kind of big, Technicolor run she dreamed of.”

By Rachel Blount, Star Tribune staff

No matter what was happening in Gabriele Grunewald’s life, running was her North Star. Taking to the trails never failed to...

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Gabriele Grunewald’s father remembers her passion

June 14, 2019

"Her story takes her through a roller coaster of stuff... she touched more people around the world than I can imagine."

By Chris Murphy, Forum News Service

MINNEAPOLIS — One of the first races Gabriele Grunewald (née Anderson) ran, she got lost. She was in middle school in Perham and ran the...

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‘Brave Like Gabe’: Remembering the Runner Who Never Gave Up in the Face of an Unbeatable Opponent

June 11, 2019

Gabe spent the last years of her life fighting, living, running… inspiring others… fully aware that she was not winning her own fight, but fighting ever harder just the same.

By Tim Layden, Sports Illustrated

On a June night two years ago, I went to dinner with Gabe & Justin Grunewald at a...

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Brave Like Gabe: Q&A with Gabriele Grunewald

March 28, 2018

I think having that constant reminder of my mortality can be scary and bewildering at times, but other times it can be a great motivator and helps me clarify what’s most important in my life.

From AthleteBiz

Gabriele Grunewald is an inspiration. She has raced to titles on the track and roads,...

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Gabe Grunewald on Running, Cancer Treatment & Looking Ahead

December 13, 2017

“Throughout all of it, I believe something will work for me eventually. In the meantime, I gotta live my life.”

By Erin Strout, Runner’s World

During the past year, Gabriele Grunewald, 31, has tried to maintain her presence as a professional middle-distance runner while pursuing all available...

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Athlete gets cancer. Athlete fights cancer. Repeat, again and again…

July 10, 2017

“I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, but I have learned that the human mind and body are truly resilient. I rule nothing out.”

By Tim Layden, Sports Illustrated

It was on the morning of Good Friday in 2009 when the runner first met her cancer. She was a fifth-year senior at Minnesota, sitting in...

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Chemotherapy, then USA Championships, for Mile star Gabriele Grunewald

June 21, 2017

“I don’t always love talking about it. It’s not a made-for-TV movie. It’s real. It’s scary.”

​By Michael Powell, New York Times

EUGENE, Ore. — Gabriele Grunewald stepped onto the track as the dying light of day yielded to periwinkle evening.

She and her fellow world class runners walked...

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Amid Cancer News, U.S. Champion Chooses to Keep Racing

May 10, 2017

Medtronic TC 1 Mile up next for Gabriele Grunewald who endures the uncertainty of her future by continuing to do what she does best.

By Cathal Dennehy, Runner's World

As the clock ticks past two minutes, the first signs of stress announce themselves on Gabriele Grunewald’s face.

Her eyes...

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Why Not Me? Gabe Grunewald on Surviving Cancer and Running Pro

January 13, 2017

"Instead of being afraid of failure, I was thinking, Why not me? It changed the way I viewed myself and my opportunities, and my first season of racing after cancer opened the door to professional running."

By Salty Running

Gabriele Grunewald, Gabe to her friends, is a professional runner and...

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Blankenship, Grunewald Added to Medtronic TC 1 Mile Field

May 10, 2016

Pro fields set for USATF 1 Mile Road Championships and second stop on the Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour; $25,000 prize purse with $10,000 for event record

From Twin Cities In Motion

The Medtronic TC 1 Mile, which already enjoyed a rich Minnesota flavor with a pair of locally grown...

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Bolas, Grunewald Win Titles at Minnesota Mile

September 13, 2015

$20,100 awarded in prize money; Bolas defends Minnesota Mile and also captures BBTM GP Tour 2015

From Grandma's Marathon

DULUTH, Minn. - Jack Bolas and Gabriele (Gabe) Grunewald won Sunday morning’s 9th Grandma’s Minnesota Mile road race in downtown Duluth. Bolas, 27, of High Bridge, N.J.,...

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The Milers: Gabriele Grunewald

September 10, 2015

Hometown favorite goes for Minnesota Mile win on Sunday; perserverence and the quest for the perfect Mile

By Bring Back the Mile

Whether it has been injuries, cancer or politics, Gabriele Grunewald of Team USA Minnesota has not only perservered, but thrived as a professional Track & Field...

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Deep Field of Sub-4 Milers Ready to Race in Pittsburgh at the 4th GNC Live Well Liberty Mile

July 29, 2015

Thirteen sub-4 minute men’s Milers and five sub-4:30 minute women’s Milers expected in Steel City for Friday evening, July 31 event; $25,000 prize purse; third stop on Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour 2015

From P3R Events

A prize purse of $25,000 has attracted some of the country’s top...

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Grunewald, McNamara to Defend GNC Live Well Liberty Mile Titles

July 13, 2015

4th edition in downtown Pittsburgh offers $25,000 prize purse; third stop on BBTM Grand Prix Tour 2015

From P3R Events

Defending GNC Live Well Liberty Mile champions Jordan McNamara and Gabriele Grunewald will return to the Steel City to defend their titles at the 2015 race, scheduled for...

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Two Minnesota Stars Added to Medtronic TC 1 Mile Field

April 29, 2015

Former Gopher Grunewald, Winona native Heath to face top field; $25,000 prize purse plus $10,000 event record bonuses; second BBTM Grand Prix Tour 2015 stop in Minneapolis on Thursday, May 14

From Twin Cities In Motion

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Former University of Minnesota star Gabriele Grunewald...

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A Candid Interview with Gabriele Grunewald

August 15, 2014

Cancer survivor and recent GNC Live Well Liberty Mile champion racing Falmouth Mile on Saturday, August 16

By Charlie Engle for Runner's World

Gabriele Grunewald has no trouble admitting that before being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 22, she had no realistic prospects as a professional...

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Uceny, Grunewald, Torrence, True Headline Falmouth Mile

August 12, 2014

Saturday night race features Olympians, USA & NCAA champions and a former World #1; $7500 prize purse plus time and meet record bonuses

FALMOUTH, Mass. – Morgan Uceny, a 2012 Olympian ranked #1 in the world in 2011 at 1500 meters; Gabriele Grunewald, the reigning USA Indoor 3000m champion; ...

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Third Time’s a Charm for Jordan McNamara at GNC Live Well Liberty Mile

August 01, 2014

Gabriele Grunewald women's champion over two-time defending champion Heather Kampf; 1,000-plus participants at third edition; fourth stop on the Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour 2014

By Ryan Lamppa, The Mile wire

PITTSBURGH – (August 1, 2014) – At the third GNC Live Well Liberty Mile on...

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Heather Kampf Eyes Three-Peat at GNC Live Well Liberty Mile

July 23, 2014

Women’s field also includes sub-4:30 minute Milers Sarah Brown, Gabriele Grunewald and Lauren Penney; 3rd edition in downtown Pittsburgh features new American Pro Mile with a $20,000 prize purse; 4th stop on the Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Two-time defending champion ...

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The Mile Interview Series: Gabriele Grunewald

May 07, 2014

Bring Back the Mile's 2014 interview series, presented by HOKA ONE ONE, kicks off with Team USA Minnesota middle distance ace Gabriele Grunewald (née Anderson). Known as "Gabe", she earned her first national title and U.S. team berth last February at the USA Indoor Championships in the 3000m. She...

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Gabriele Grunewald Pre-World Indoors Interview

March 04, 2014

"Even though a ‘kicker’s’ race would be good for me, I also think I’m in shape to PR in the 3000m."

By Christopher Kelsall, Athletics Illustrated

Gabriele Grunewald, better known as GG or Gabe, is an American middle-distance runner from small town Minnesota or Perham, MN to be exact. A...

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On the Brink of Greatness: Gabriele Grunewald

January 27, 2014

"It's undeniable that the depth of American mid-distance running is incredible and unprecedented right now."

By Scott Bush, RunnerSpace.com

Ranked U.S. #4 in the 1500m each of the past two seasons, Gabriele (nee Anderson) Grunewald is on the cusp of smashing through the brick wall that is a...

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Blankenship, Anderson Shatter Course Records at Minnesota Mile

September 08, 2013

Race champions clock the fastest Mile performances ever on Minnesota soil; eight men go sub-4 minutes; 7th edition ends inaugural Bring Back the Mile Tour 2013

By Bob Gustafson

DULUTH, Minn. – It was a day for records at Sunday’s seventh Minnesota Mile road race in downtown Duluth.

Ben...

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David Torrence to Defend Falmouth Mile Title

August 03, 2013

Top fields expected including 2011 race champion and event record holder Jordan McNamara, Will Leer, Matthew Elliott and Garrett Heath and Gabriele Anderson, Heather Kampf and Sarah Brown; past wheelchair champions also return to defend titles; 12th stop on the inaugural Bring Back the Mile Tour...

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Miler Anderson Looking to Step Up Her Game in Doha

May 09, 2013

By Joe Battaglia, Race Results Weekly

DOHA, Qatar – (May 9, 2013) – Several days after finishing fourth in the 1500m at the U.S. Olympic Trials last July, Gabriele Anderson was finally able to get over falling two seconds shy of qualifying for London.

It was then that the pain gave way to a...

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Team USA Minnesota Athletes Race Ready for the Mile

April 17, 2013

Jon Peterson at Mt. SAC Relays; Gabriele Anderson, Heather Kampf, Meghan Peyton at USA 1 Mile Road Championships

MINNEAPOLIS – (April 17, 2013) – Team USA Minnesota’s Jon Peterson will run the Mile on the track at the 55th Mt. SAC Relays on Friday, April 19. The following week, Gabriele...

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Miller, Kampf Win Grandma’s Minnesota Mile

September 09, 2012

2012 USA Mile road champions top fields in close races at 6th edition in downtown Duluth
By Bob Gustafson

DULUTH, Minn. – (September 9, 2012) – Craig Miller won Grandma’s Minnesota Mile road race in downtown Duluth on Sunday morning. Miller, 25, of Madison, Wis., finished in 4 minutes, 1.4...

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Minnesota Twins: Anderson, Kampf Mile Aces

September 07, 2012

The Twin Cities are growing—and retaining—national-caliber mid-distance women
By Jon Gugala, Bring Back the Mile

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota, as most people know, has harsh, bitterly cold winters. Even F. Scott Fitzgerald, a native of St. Paul, admitted it, describing how the interminable season...

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Runner Seeks Rainbow After Stormy Times

September 06, 2012

Disappointment doesn’t have a place in Gabriele Anderson’s life. Anderson will be running in Sunday's sixth Minnesota Mile in Duluth.

By Kevin Pates, Duluth News Tribune

Disappointment doesn’t have a place in Gabriele Anderson’s life.

When diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma in 2009,...

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Brief Chat: Gabriele Anderson Looks Ahead

August 14, 2012

By Peter Gambaccini, Runner's World

Gabriele Anderson, 26, was the fourth-place finisher in the 1500 meter run at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene. On July 17 in Lignano, Italy she lowered her personal best to 4:04.84. Anderson is a survivor of two types of cancer—adenoid cystic...

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Torrence, Martinez Win Falmouth Mile

August 11, 2012

Martinez and Anderson run #1 and #2 fastest women’s Mile times of the year
Jim Gerweck, The Mile wire

FALMOUTH, Mass. – (August 11, 2012) – Last year’s Falmouth Mile, a track precursor to the larger, older 7-mile road race, proved to be one of the deepest ever run on American soil, with the...

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Team USA Minnesota Athletes Help Bring Back the Mile

August 09, 2012

Gabriele Anderson at Falmouth Mile August 11; Heather Kampf, Jamie Cheever at Liberty Mile in Pittsburgh August 17

MINNEAPOLIS – (August 9, 2012) – Three Team USA Minnesota runners will compete in Mile events this month, with Gabriele Anderson at the Falmouth Mile in Massachusetts on Saturday,...

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5 Questions with Gabriele Anderson

May 25, 2012

By Pat Price, writing about running

Today we have 5 Questions with a former Minnesota Golden Gopher and now a member of Coach Dennis Barker's Team USA Minnesota. Most recently, the "Brooks Beast" was awarded Flotrack's "Kick of the Week."

Gabriele Anderson is off to a hot start in 2012. Her...

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Cancer Survivor Gabriele Anderson Chases Down Olympic Dream

May 10, 2012

By Eric Perkins, KARE 11

MINNEAPOLIS - Methodically, Gabriele Anderson motors around the University of Minnesota track.  Singularly focused, she has her sights set on gaining a spot on the United States Olympic team in the women's 1500 meter race. The Olympic Trials is set for late June in...

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