Rudi Run for Cancer marks 10 years

Rudi Run

Aug 21, 2024

Kevin Rudi, a former Rio Ranchoan who attended Rio Rancho High School, died at the age of 27 in 2014 after battling sarcoma cancer. His family and friends remember his struggle and life with a fun run every year. This year, they all gathered for the 10th time Aug. 17 at Mariposa Park in Westside Albuquerque.

Matthew Duran, a friend of Rudi's, started the Rudi Foundation as a nonprofit to bring awareness and donations to cancer research.

"Kevin Rudi was the man. He’ll always be the man. His uncles and aunts even nicknamed him 'The Man!' His wrestling buddies nicknamed him the 'Polar Bear' because he was fierce on the wrestling mat as a state wrestler for Rio Rancho High. Not only did he exhibit strength and ferocity, he exhibited qualities far beyond his years that he was born to be a superhero," Duran said.

The Rudi Run had many participants this year, and some dressed in superhero outfits. Rudi's brother Curtis dressed as a superhero with the letter R on his shirt for Rudi. His brother Nolan also ran. His mom Diane didn't run but was there to take photos of the runners and her family.

This year the run had 167 people register, which Duran says is double of last year.

"And the Kids’ K was four times the size of last year. There was a nice buzz of excitement from the runners of the 5K, as well," he added.

Duran says the event is "nearest and dearest" to his heart.

"Kevin was my best man, my brother, a great friend and confidant that was taken well before his time. He fought cancer like a superhero and never let anyone know how hard the last two years of his life were, but he showed strength and courage through his trials and tribulations. It was 10 years ago that Kevin was taken from the insidious disease that he’d fought for so long, and this is how we honor his memory: by doing something active," he said.

Rudi was very active during his short life, according to Duran.

"He was born to fight and still be the shining light of the party that lit up the room. When he wasn’t boxing or wrestling, he was a stock market genius and was determined to take his company to an initial public offering. He was set to be the first billionaire that I knew on a brotherly level. In all aspects, Kevin was competitive, and he would still be the one on whom you could count and to lean on in your toughest moments," he explained.

Despite the disease, Duran says, Rudi didn't let it crush his spirits.

"When he was first diagnosed with Stage IV Spindle Cell Sarcoma, he said, 'We’re going to beat this, man.' I have no doubt in my mind that he did because when the chemotherapy treatments got really hard — and they did — he also calmed all that knew him by saying, 'Don’t worry about me; cancer can’t consume my soul,'" Duran said.

To donate and learn more, visit rudifoundation.com.