University of Minnesota Athletics
Gabe Grunewald Day Set for June 25
6/24/2019 5:39:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have designated Tuesday, June 25 as "Gabriele Grunewald Day" in memory of Gophers All-American Gabe Grunewald, who passed away on June 11 after a courageous battle with cancer. Tuesday would have been Grunewald's 33rd birthday.
To celebrate Grunewald's memory, a public ceremony and run will be held at B.F. Nelson Park in Minneapolis, beginning at 6:15 p.m. CT. Following remarks from Walz, Frey and Grunewald's husband, former Gopher Justin Grunewald, those in attendance are invited to participate in a 1.405-mile run/walk. Those unable to attend are invited to participate wherever they are.
A native of Perham, Minn., Grunewald went from walk-on to All-American with the University of Minnesota track & field and cross country program. A seven-time All-Big Ten selection (five in track, two in cross country), Grunewald is still the Gophers' school record-holder in the outdoor 1,500 meters (4:13.45) while she also remains part of two school-record relay teams – the outdoor 4x800 meters (8:27.42) and the outdoor 4x1,600 meters (18.58.82). A captain for both the cross country and track & field teams, she was a member of six Big Ten Championship teams (three-straight indoor championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009, an outdoor title in 2006, and back-to-back cross country crowns in 2007 and 2008). Grunewald closed out her collegiate career by finishing as the national runner-up in the 1,500 meters at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, earning All-America recognition for her performance.
Grunewald completed her undergraduate degree as a double-major in political science and English, and she earned her master of public policy, public & nonprofit leadership and management from the University of Minnesota in 2011.
Following her tenure with the Maroon & Gold, Grunewald, who also won the 2004 state title in the 800 meters at Perham High School, competed professionally for Brooks and won the 2014 U.S. title in the indoor 3,000 meters before representing the United States at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships where she finished 10th. She also placed fourth in the 1,500 meters at the 2012 USA Olympic Trials.
Gabe Grunewald formed the Brave Like Gabe Foundation in 2018 with the mission to support rare cancer research and empower cancer survivors through physical activity.
To celebrate Grunewald's memory, a public ceremony and run will be held at B.F. Nelson Park in Minneapolis, beginning at 6:15 p.m. CT. Following remarks from Walz, Frey and Grunewald's husband, former Gopher Justin Grunewald, those in attendance are invited to participate in a 1.405-mile run/walk. Those unable to attend are invited to participate wherever they are.
A native of Perham, Minn., Grunewald went from walk-on to All-American with the University of Minnesota track & field and cross country program. A seven-time All-Big Ten selection (five in track, two in cross country), Grunewald is still the Gophers' school record-holder in the outdoor 1,500 meters (4:13.45) while she also remains part of two school-record relay teams – the outdoor 4x800 meters (8:27.42) and the outdoor 4x1,600 meters (18.58.82). A captain for both the cross country and track & field teams, she was a member of six Big Ten Championship teams (three-straight indoor championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009, an outdoor title in 2006, and back-to-back cross country crowns in 2007 and 2008). Grunewald closed out her collegiate career by finishing as the national runner-up in the 1,500 meters at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, earning All-America recognition for her performance.
Grunewald completed her undergraduate degree as a double-major in political science and English, and she earned her master of public policy, public & nonprofit leadership and management from the University of Minnesota in 2011.
Following her tenure with the Maroon & Gold, Grunewald, who also won the 2004 state title in the 800 meters at Perham High School, competed professionally for Brooks and won the 2014 U.S. title in the indoor 3,000 meters before representing the United States at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships where she finished 10th. She also placed fourth in the 1,500 meters at the 2012 USA Olympic Trials.
Gabe Grunewald formed the Brave Like Gabe Foundation in 2018 with the mission to support rare cancer research and empower cancer survivors through physical activity.
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