Gabriele Grunewald

USA, Middle Distance

The ultimate fighter, and constant inspirer.

Accolades:

• Ran a full 2017 season schedule while battling her fourth bout with cancer, running a season's best 4:12 in the 1500m. 
• While undergoing chemotherapy treatments, qualified and ran the 1500m at the 2017 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. 

Snippet From: Gabe Grunewald Ends Inspirational Season In First Round At USAs

Gabe Grunewald of Brooks ended her run as perhaps the most inspirational track and field athlete of 2017 with a 4:31.18 run in the first round of the 1500m at the USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento.

She finished ninth in her section and will not advance to the final. Kate Grace of Nike won the heat in 4:09.11.

After the race, Grunewald, whose fourth bout with cancer in eight years this season has garnered her the most press and public attention of her career, spoke with USATF's Dan O'Brien over the public address after the race.

"I'm just overwhelmed," she said to the crowd. "It's so great to see the sport I love getting behind the fight against cancer. [Yesterday, USTAF announced a new partnership with the American Cancer Society]. Obviously, it's very relevant to my life right now. I'm in the middle of my fight and I want to stay connected to the sport and that's why I ran today.

"I don't think I would've made it to this starting line [without all the support of the running community]. I started chemo about three weeks ago and it's been getting tougher and tougher for me to run every week. I just hope that my struggle and perseverance inspires people to keep pushing through in their own lives."

WATCH: Gabe Grunewald appreciative of competitors' support after racing USAs between chemo treatment

LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH NOMINEE

---

For the past decade, FloTrack and MileSplit has traveled the planet covering our sport and seen up close what a struggle it can be to compete at the highest level. These individuals are some of the best in the business, and they continue to inspire and change the game. To support their success and in hopes they continue to do great work, we're announcing the T-Mobile Game Changer of the Year Award. Later this year, one athlete will win $7,000 to help continue their journey of changing the game.