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Cancer to 5K Program - Twin Cities

 
 

In partnership with the Ulman Foundation, cancer survivors and loved ones can register for a free 12-week training program designed to reintroduce cancer survivors to physical activity after diagnosis. The goal race is the Brave Like Gabe 5K on June 25th in St. Paul, Minnesota.

We are seeking both survivor participants and volunteer teammates!

Survivor Participants:

  • Survivors of all ages are welcome to participate, regardless of their current cancer treatment status or fitness level.

  • Participants walk/run alongside volunteers and coaches at weekly workouts leading up to the 5K goal race.

Volunteer Teammate:

  • Be a part of a survivor's journey to the finish line!

  • Walk/run alongside survivor participants and provide support and encouragement during each workout and on race day

Details:

Practices Start: 04/15/2026 with weekly practices on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

Practice locations are subject to change based on participant proximity and accessibility of various beautiful running locations in the area.

Questions? Please email us at alyssa@bravelikegabe.org

Register

  • We welcome participants of all fitness levels, and encourage everyone to participate in a safe, regular workout plan – whatever speed you choose!

  • The training program is reserved for cancer survivors only. But experienced runners that are not survivors are encouraged to join our team as a Volunteer Teammate!

  • Volunteer Teammates are running/walking partners who help us provide a community of support for survivor participants during group workouts and on race day. Volunteer Teammates under the age of 18 must have an adult guardian present.

  • A typical team practice will last for approximately one hour. Coaches will match Volunteer Teammates up with survivor participants to complete each practice & goal race together.

    To make sure everyone is safe and ready on race day, participants must be able to attend at least 50% of the team practices during the season.

    Volunteers will run at the survivor’s pace and monitor their well-being, provide pace leadership, and safely encourage them to meet their goal of crossing the finish line.

Cancer Survivor Movement Program - Summer 2025

 Join AKTIV Against Cancer and Brave Like Gabe as we launch a 10-week pilot program for cancer survivors in the Twin Cities. As a participant you can expect a very personalized plan for movement that supports your diagnosis and treatment. You’ll take part in a series of 1 on 1 personal training sessions and group classes with other patients.

 
 

Who?
Any cancer survivors in the Twin Cities who can join us between July and September 2025 in St. Louis Park. Please click on this link to take a short survey and apply!

What?
You’ll be part of a 10 week pilot program based in exercise oncology and research-based practices. There will be an informational kick off meeting at FIT Studio to meet the coaches, ask questions and see the space. The first two weeks will be 1:1 sessions with a certified trainer, then 8 weeks meeting as a group while working towards your individual movement goals.

Where?
Fit Studio, St. Louis Park

When?
We’ll kick things off the week of July 14th, 2025 with scheduled 1:1 time with your trainer, developing your plan. Then from July 28th - September 19th we’ll meet as a group at Fit Studio to work that plan! 

How much?
FREE.

More Questions?
Attend the Q&A Session with Aaron Leventhal to learn more about the program on Monday June 9th 6:30 - 7:00 PM. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/xuz-jevo-gqq

APPLY HERE

Applications due by June 13th, 2025 and participants will be notified by end of June.

 

Fit Studio with Aaron Leventhal

Aaron Leventhal is the author of The New Fit, the director of AKTIV Against Cancer USA, and a coach and educator. His work on health, wellness, and exercise oncology has impacted thousands. Aaron is an ex-professional soccer player, performance coach, gym owner, and cancer survivor. As a consultant, Aaron helps market fitness and wellness concepts through management, education, and content creation. Aaron’s Longevity Fitness Tests, “The Fit Standards,” have provided clear direction and guidance to help educate thousands on the type of exercise that will have the most impact on their personal wellness. Through his work with exercise oncology, professional athletes, and everyday people, his goal is to help patients and clients, doctors, and health care professionals re-frame how exercise can be used to improve physical and emotional outcomes in people's lives and help with the side effects of medical treatments.

 

    • Exercise oncology is the study and application of physical activity to prevent, manage, and improve outcomes for individuals with cancer.

    • Research highlights the benefits of exercise in reducing treatment side effects, including decreased fatigue and depression, improved physical function and mental health, and an overall enhanced quality of life for patients.

  • AKTIV Against Cancer is a global leader in exercise oncology, founded in Norway, dedicated to integrating physical activity into cancer treatment. Through research and the implementation of AKTIV exercise programs, it has transformed the lives of thousands. As a community of patients, coaches, and volunteers, AKTIV provides a supportive environment where movement is medicine, helping individuals enjoy exercise, improve outcomes, and build lifelong fitness habits.

  • "Brave Like Gabe” started as a hashtag to support professional runner Gabriele “Gabe” Grunewald as she sought cancer treatment while still competing at a high level. In 2018, Gabe started the Brave Like Gabe Foundation to support rare cancer research and empower all cancer survivors through physical activity. Gabe passed away in 2019 after 10 years with a rare salivary gland cancer, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.

    • Science-based exercise programs have proven to be a successful and influential way to increase survival rates and decrease the spread of cancer significantly.

    • Breast cancer survivors who exercised more than 2.5 hours per week had a 60% reduction in overall mortality risk compared to inactive patients. [1]

    • Colorectal cancer patients who exercised regularly had a 50% lower risk of cancer-related death compared to sedentary individuals. [2]

    • Men with localized prostate cancer who exercised vigorously for three or more hours per week had a 61% lower risk of dying from the disease compared to those who exercised less than one hour per week. [3]

    • A meta-analysis of 71 studies found that exercise reduces the risk of cancer-specific mortality by approximately 44% across multiple cancer types. [4]

    • An emphasis on the benefits of exercise in improving patients' physical and mental health, reducing treatment side effects, and enhancing long-term outcomes, making it a critical component of comprehensive cancer care. [4]

  • At AKTIV, we take an individualized approach to cancer care, designing personalized exercise programs tailored to your unique journey. Using cancer-specific exercise science, we create a plan based on your diagnosis, treatment, and side effects to support your health and well-being.

  • An AKTIV-certified cancer exercise specialist will guide you through your personalized program and connect you with the right resources. Whether you're continuing a past routine or exercising for the first time, we tailor our approach to meet you where you are on your journey.

    • We partner with your oncologist so we understand your treatment plan, sharing progression over time with your care team.

    • You’ll have one-on-one sessions with your coach to share more about your needs and goals. Based on your cancer type and treatment, your coach will create a personalized fitness program and provide guidance, support, and access to all the resources you need to succeed throughout your journey.

Source:

[1] Holmes MD, Chen WY, Feskanich D, Kroenke CH, Colditz GA. Physical activity and survival after breast cancer diagnosis. JAMA. 2005 May 25;293(20):2479-86. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15914748/

[2] Meyerhardt JA, Giovannucci EL, Holmes MD, et al. Physical activity and survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Aug 1;24(22):3527-34. DOI:10.1200/JCO.2006.06.0855

[3] Kenfield, S. A., Stampfer, M. J., Giovannucci, E., & Chan, J. M. (2011). Physical activity and survival after prostate cancer diagnosis in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 29(6), 726–732. https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2010.31.5226

[4] 2021 Aug 23;139(1):100–119. doi: 10.1093/bmb/ldab019. Why exercise has a crucial role in cancer prevention, risk reduction and improved outcomes https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8431973/

 

If you have more questions about this program please reach out to: 

Aaron Leventhal | AKTIV Against Cancer | aaron@aktivagainstcancer.us

Alyssa Hawkins | Brave Like Gabe | alyssa@bravelikegabe.org