Brian Gruender to run Fall 50 twice in honor of Bo Johnson

The Fall 50 will host a century runner for the second straight year.

Last year it was Aaron Schneider, who finally achieved his dream of completing a 100-mile run by starting his Fall 50 in Sturgeon Bay the night before the race, where he ran the course backward and joined the rest of the field in Gills Rock at the starting line.

This year’s 100-mile runner is Brian Gruender, a father of four who will follow Schneider’s precedent, but clad in orange and inspired by the late Bo Johnson. Johnson is the Sister Bay boy who died of leukemia Sept. 28, but not before inspiring people in Door County and far beyond the peninsula with his message of hope, kindness, and humility.

Gruender has been running all season for Team Triumph, including a 135-mile run from Kenosha to Appleton in March. After seeing Bo’s story on television last month he decided to switch causes for a day.

“I wish I had the opportunity to meet him,” Gruender says. “The grace and integrity that this 13-year-old boy had was incredible to me. I don’t know many adults who would have battled the way he did.”

Gruender started his run at 9 pm on Friday at Sunset Park in Sturgeon Bay, hoping to raise some money and awareness for the Go Bo Foundation with each step. Schneider and friend Ashley Kumlien will join Gruender for a long stretch of his overnight run, though he anticipates running a decent chunk alone before joining the full Fall 50 field in Gills Rock in the morning.

Gruender knows the motivating power that running can have. Five years ago the Appleton resident looked in the mirror and saw a young man who was out of shape and shown up by his elders.

“My dad was 35 years older than me, and I realized he was in much better shape than I was,” Gruender says.

His dad, Mark, has been running for 35 years. He’ll be running the Fall 50 as well, joined by four of Gruender’s other friends, including ultra-marathoning legend Roy Pirrung. All will be wearing orange in memory of Bo.

When he and his team finish, they plan to give their medals to Bo’s family.

“It’s an honor to be able to run for him,” Gruender says. “I can’t wait to do it.”