Messages of support pour in for Edmonton ultramarathon runner fighting for her life

A 36-year-old ultramarathon runner from Edmonton is fighting for her life in hospital after she was out for a run in her neighbourhood last Tuesday when she was struck by a vehicle.

“We recently found out that she’s in a coma and fighting,” Rebecca Tetley said Thursday morning, regarding her sister Christine Knicely.

“Over the next week, we’re going to find out how big of a fight she has in her.

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“We found out (last week) that she has a broken skull and jaw, six fractured ribs and a broken shoulder. She’s had surgery to remove a piece of her skull to release the pressure.”

According to police, the 36-year-old was hit at about 9:10 p.m. on June 29 by a Jeep Wrangler driven by a 27-year-old woman near 152 Avenue and 127 Street.

At the time of the collision, investigators said sun glare may have been a contributing factor to the collision. On Thursday, a spokesperson for the EPS said the investigation into the collision was ongoing.

Tetley said Knicely was training for a 100-kilometre race in the mountains this summer and in preparation, she said her sister would run and bike about 150 kilometres per week.

“She’s always working towards a new goal,” Tetley said.

Knicely is described as an adventure seeker, a goal chaser and spontaneous and Tetley said messages of support are pouring in from all over the world.

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“She’s helped people get into running and mountain climbing and taken people on their first hike. They say that she’s the strongest person they all know and that she’s going to get through this,” Tetley said.

Knicely was first admitted to the Royal Alexandra Hospital before being transferred to the University of Alberta Hospital.

Only two visitors are permitted in the hospital, so Tetley and her mom have been by her side nearly all day and night.

“She is the most loving, caring person that anyone could ever meet,” Tetley said about her sister.

“The amount of support that she’s received and the kind things that people have said worldwide is phenomenal.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to help with Knicely’s recovery.