Rochester runner dies after a year-long battle with cancer

ROCHESTER N.Y. (WHEC) – A member of Rochester’s running community has died after a nearly year-long battle with cancer. Kelly Miller Lanzafame, a Fleet Feet running store employee who completed multiple marathons, died in her home on Monday.

Fleet Feet will host a run and walk with a two-mile loop on Saturday to honor Lanzafame. The running will begin at 8 a.m. at the Rochester Armory and the route will pass by Lanzafame’s house. Participants can speak to the family members or drop off a card as they pass the house.

Lanzafame was with her husband of 20 years, Tony, and her three children when she passed away. She was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and founded the Rochester chapter of a running group for mothers, called Moms RUN This Town.

The cancer diagnosis for Lanzafame came last May. While undergoing treatment, she continued to work at Fleet Feet, where she managed footwear and accessory buying. During the pandemic, she oversaw Fleet Feet’s donation of 1,000 pairs of shoes to local nurses.

“One year later she would see (nurses) wearing those shoes as she received her chemo treatments,” said a Wednesday Facebook post from Fleet Feet.

Lanzafame oversaw several of the store’s expos, including at the New York City Marathon and ROC Holiday Village.

Participants of the run on Saturday are encouraged to wear camo, Lanzafame’s favorite style. The organizers will give away some “Camo for Kelly” t-shirts.