Running with Heart: The Journey of Ruthie Maldonado-Delwiche and Team Imerman Angels

Ruthie Maldonado-Delwiche has never been one to sit still. From her early days in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood to her service in the U.S. Air Force, energy and movement have always been central to her life. But it wasn’t until she laced up her running shoes in preparation for enlistment that Ruthie truly discovered the rhythm and release that running offered her soul.

In the Air Force, running became routine—especially during her final years stationed in Hawaii, where morning runs cleared her mind and set the tone for each day. After returning home to Chicago in 1988 and settling into a government job, running took a back seat, limited by the city’s unforgiving seasons. It wasn’t until a 5K in 2009—a seemingly simple race that left her walking much of the course—that Ruthie realized it was time to reclaim her stride.

From that day forward, Ruthie committed herself to the path. Her miles increased, and so did her confidence. She embraced 5Ks and 10Ks before daring to run her first half marathon in 2013. Since then, she’s crossed the finish line at more than 80 half marathons, defying her own doubts about age and ability.

Yet, Ruthie’s relationship with running deepened in a way she never anticipated when her husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. Running evolved from a form of exercise to a form of therapy. It was how she coped—running before treatments, while he was in therapy, and afterward, when grief began to settle in. When her husband passed in December 2015, after more than three decades of marriage, running became Ruthie’s lifeline.

In 2016, while attending a race expo with her son, Ruthie noticed a booth for Team Imerman Angels, an organization offering one-on-one cancer support. She turned to her son and said she wanted to run a marathon in her husband’s memory. Without hesitation, he agreed, and they signed up that day. Ruthie has been proudly representing Team Imerman Angels ever since.

Her first marathon came in 2017—at the age of 58—and she’s returned to the Chicago Marathon year after year in his honor. Her commitment to Team IA isn’t just about remembrance; it’s about standing for something greater. She runs with their logo across her chest to remind the world that no one should face cancer alone.

Beyond Team IA, Ruthie has found a second family in the Chicago running community. Affectionately called “Momma Ruthie,” she’s become a beloved figure in local run groups like Tortugas and Venados Run Club. Through every step and every tear left on the path, she has found healing, connection, and purpose. Running, she says, isn’t about impressing others—it’s about embracing herself, honoring her loved ones, and building a community.

Ruthie also serves as a pacer with Fleet Feet Training x CES, guiding fellow runners through the challenges of training, especially during the harsh Chicago winters. Whether she’s leading “Winter Warriors” through snow-covered streets or simply offering a word of encouragement, Ruthie’s presence is a testament to perseverance and heart.

As she prepares for her ninth Chicago Marathon with Team Imerman Angels in October 2025, Ruthie carries not only the memory of her husband but also the spirit of everyone she runs for—those lost to cancer, those fighting, and those supporting behind the scenes. She embodies the mission of Imerman Angels: ensuring that no one has to walk—or run—this path alone.

For Ruthie Maldonado-Delwiche, running isn’t just movement—it’s a message, a memory, and a mission. And she has no plans of slowing down.