World · North America · 1 hr ago
Oakland University runner Grace Nolan, 25, dies in car crash
Grace Nolan, 25, died in a car crash while travelling with her boyfriend in the Detroit area.
Nolan was a second-year medical student at Oakland University’s William Beaumont School of Medicine in Michigan.
She was a standout Oakland University runner, winning a Horizon League 10,000-meter title and earning three first-team cross-country selections.
She had also finished fourth in the women’s race at the 2025 Detroit Free Press Marathon.
Nolan was due to run in the marathon’s elite field on Oct.
18, but did not get the chance.
Her boyfriend was injured and was expected to recover; no further details about the crash have been released.
A celebration of life is planned for Oct.
31 at Oakland University.
Grace Nolan, a 25-year-old Oakland University runner and medical student, died after a car crash in Michigan.
Reports differ on the date of her death: Runner’s World says early Saturday before the Oct. 18 marathon, while The Detroit News says Oct. 18.
Nolan was due to run in the elite women’s field at the Detroit Free Press Marathon but did not reach the start line.
Her boyfriend, identified as Matt, was injured in the crash and was expected to recover, her family said.
Nolan was a three-time All-Horizon League First Team cross-country runner and won the league’s 10,000-meter title in 2025.
- Who
- Grace Nolan, 25, an Oakland University runner and medical student, died. Her boyfriend, Matt, was also in the car and was injured.
- What
- Nolan died following a car crash. She had been scheduled to run in the Detroit Free Press Marathon.
- When
- Sources differ: Runner’s World says early Saturday before the Oct. 18 race; The Detroit News says she died Oct. 18.
- Where
- Walled Lake, Michigan, according to Runner’s World.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Nolan made her marathon debut at the Detroit Free Press Marathon and finished fourth.
She won the Horizon League 10,000-meter title with a championship record.
Nolan was scheduled to run in the Detroit Free Press Marathon’s elite women’s field.
Nolan died after a car crash; reports differ on the date.
Her family planned a celebration of life at Oakland University.
- Age
- 25
- Crash location
- Walled Lake, Michigan
- University
- Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
- Marathon result
- Fourth place at the 2025 Detroit Free Press Marathon
- Conference title
- 2025 Horizon League 10,000-meter champion with a championship record
- Celebration
- Planned for Oct. 31 at Oakland University
3 sources
What people are saying
If you knew Grace, I don’t need to tell you what an amazing human she was, truly extraordinary
There is no doubt in my mind that she was going to make people and communities better as a person and doctor just like she made the OU community better as a student and athlete.
Grace was a remarkable young woman.
She wanted to be a doctor from a very young age, and she made it happen