St. Paul Flagship pre-registration will close at 11:59 Thursday, September 18. We will reopen for race day Flagship registration on Saturday, September 20 at 8:00 AM.

During registration, you will be able to purchase additional 5K t-shirts. Please use the discount code GROUP to receive 10% off your registration of 3+ participants.

We are watching the weather forecasts closely and, of course, hoping to run as planned. As always, participant and volunteer safety will be our primary objective. If it’s just rain, we plan to run! Any lightning or severe weather may prompt a delay or cancellation. We plan to send an email update regarding the weather by 6:30 AM. We will also post on our social media channels.

In the unlikely event we have to cancel the run, you are welcome to join us at the Como Midway Pavilion until 10 a.m. to enjoy some of the race day fun. You can pick up your race packet, buy some BLG merch, grab a JonnyPop, some Wiley Wallaby licorice, and a coffee from Corner Coffee, take a few photos in front of our photo wall and make crafts with your kids! It’s a celebration, rain or shine!

Gabriele “Gabe” Grunewald (née Anderson) was a professional American middle-distance runner and lifelong Minnesotan, born and raised in Perham, MN. 

Gabriele walked-on to the University of Minnesota cross country and track & field teams in 2004, where she was a part of several Big Ten Championship squads and eventually became an NCAA track & field All-American with a runner-up finish in the 1500-meters in 2010, her final collegiate race. Gabriele ran professionally for Brooks beginning in 2010 until her passing in 2019.

Gabriele survived multiple bouts with cancer—initially diagnosed with a rare salivary gland cancer, adenoid cystic carcinoma, in 2009, and thyroid cancer in 2010. Throughout her cancer journey, Gabriele continued to compete and run professionally. "Brave Like Gabe" started as a hashtag to support her efforts. 

After living for 10 years with ACC, Gabriele passed away on June 11, 2019, at her home in Minneapolis surrounded by family and friends. Her story and legacy continue with the Brave Like Gabe Foundation that inspires others to share their own struggles while also helping to find better, more effective treatments for rare cancers.

The Brave Like Gabe 5K is an annual event with over 10,000 participants since 2018. Proceeds go to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation to support rare cancer research around the country.