2026 Race 4 Research Honorees: Michele Plachy-Rubin & Sondra Plachy

The Race 4 Research would not exist without Michele Plachy-Rubin and her mom, Sondra Plachy. They are our 30th Anniversary Honorees.

Michele Plachy-Rubin — the reason the Race exists.

Michele Plachy-Rubin was a young wife, mother, and kindergarten teacher in the Denver Public Schools when she was diagnosed with brain cancer in December of 1996. In the face of this devastating diagnosis, Sondra and several of Michele’s friends founded the Race 4 Research to raise money to fund local cancer research. In its early years, the Race 4 Research was very much a grass-roots effort. Sondra and the Race committee members stuffed goody bags for all of the racers and arrived at Washington Park before the sun rose to hang banners and prepare for the Race. Sondra loved to recall that on the day of the inaugural Race, she feared that no one would show up. But show up they did; over 750 people participated in the 1st Annual Race 4 Research. Michele was able to walk the initial Race with her young son, Max. Tragically, Michele lost her fight with cancer in May of 1998. Despite receiving wonderful, state-of-the art medical care, Michele survived only 18 months after her diagnosis. 

Sondra Plachy bravely faced brain cancer — twice.

Sondra’s battle with cancer, unfortunately, was only beginning. In 2010, Sondra was also diagnosed with a Glioblastoma. Like Michele, Sondra received extraordinary medical attention. Thanks to the work of groups like Cancer League of Colorado, the treatments available for Glioblastoma had evolved and advanced. “What is amazing to me is that many of the drugs that helped me were not even available to Michele” Sondra said. “They were in trial. Drugs have changed, treatments have changed, and technologies have changed because of research. I never dreamed how important the Race 4 Research would be to me personally.” 

“Drugs have changed, treatments have changed, and technologies have changed because of research. I never dreamed how important the Race 4 Research would be to me personally. ”

— Sondra Plachy

The new treatments allowed Sondra to not only survive, but thrive, for an incredible 12 years from her diagnosis. Sondra ultimately passed away in September 2022. She firmly believed, however, that the advancements in cancer research funded by groups like Cancer League of Colorado extended her life by a decade, and allowed her to see all four of her grandchildren graduate college. She, and her family, are eternally grateful for that “Gift of Life.”

Michele and Sondra’s fight against cancer continues to this day. The 30th Annual Race 4 Research, of which they were so proud, will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2026. Since its founding in 1997, the Race 4 Research has raised nearly $30 million thanks to thousands of racers and generous sponsors and donors. 

The Plachy family is so proud of the Race 4 Research and is very grateful for the life-altering work performed by Cancer League of Colorado. Michele and Sondra would have been thrilled, and honored, to be this year’s Race 4 Research Honorees.