Elite marathon runner Grace Nolan died just hours before she was scheduled to compete in the Detroit Marathon. She was 25.
Nolan was involved in a car accident in Walled Lake, Michigan, on the evening of Saturday, October 17. She succumbed to her injuries early the next morning, shortly before she was due at the starting line roughly 40 miles away.
“Wendy and I are regrettably sharing some very sad news,” Grace’s father, Jason Nolan, posted via Facebook on Tuesday, October 20. “Our daughter, Grace Nolan, was killed in a car crash this past weekend. If you knew Grace, I don’t need to tell you what an amazing human she was, truly extraordinary. Daughter, sister, girlfriend, friend, mentor, scholar, athlete, comedian….those are just a few of the ways to begin describing Grace.”
Jason said his daughter was traveling with her boyfriend, Matt, when the accident occurred.
“Although he sustained significant injuries, he thankfully survived and is expected to recover,” Jason wrote. “While we are devastated by this, we do know that we will endure and get on the other side of this eventually. We are thankful for all of the friends who have already reached out via text, phone calls, emails and private messages to offer their condolences and their love to us and our family. Please also keep Matt and his family in your hearts, as I know they are hurting, as well.”
Grace’s mother, Wendy Nolan, said she was “in utter awe” of the outpouring of support the family has received in the aftermath of her daughter’s death.
“I have seen so many tributes and memories shared,” Wendy shared via Facebook on Tuesday. “I’m requesting if you are comfortable, to please make all tributes public so that we can share them with all of Grace’s loved ones. There are some real gems being shared and I need the world to see them. All my love to everyone. If Grace was part of your life, you were loved fiercely and whether you knew it or not, became part of our family and we love you too.”
In an interview with the Detroit Free Press on Tuesday, Wendy called her late daughter “the most curious, angelic, intelligent, loyal, incredible person.”
Grace was looking forward to returning to the Detroit Marathon, where she finished in 4th place last year.
“Grace’s impact went well beyond her running,” marathon organizers said in a statement. “She volunteered as a phlebotomist at free clinics in our community, and she helped young girls discover running through Girls on the Run. Everyone who knew her saw her kindness, her drive and her joy.”
The statement added, “To Grace’s family, friends, teammates, coaches and classmates: we hold you close and grieve with you. Grace, thank you for the light you brought to every start line. You will always be part of this race.”
In addition to her running credentials, Grace was a second-year medical student at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, where she was working toward her third degree.
Grace had a stellar career as a student-athlete at Oakland, where she was named as the Horizon League’s 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee.
