PELLA — Central College track and field junior Gabe Feldmann of Mount Pleasant hasn’t let cystic fibrosis slow him down on the track or his generosity off the track to raise support for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
An inherited genetic disease, cystic fibrosis impacts the lungs, digestive system and other organs in the body. A build-up of thick, sticky mucus can lead to breathing problems, infections and digestive issues by blocking ducts and airways.
Depending on the weekend, Feldmann typically competes in races that range from the 200-meter dash all the way up to the 800-meter run. His focus is on the 400 meters, an event he has completed 13 times in his first two years at Central.
Breathing is an important part of all running events, but especially the 400.
“You breathe hard in a 400,” he said. “You feel it right in the chest.”
He completed the lap around the track in 51.62 seconds at the American Rivers Outdoor Championships in 2025, placing 22nd. He also was on the fifth-place 4×400-meter relay squad at that same meet.
Feldmann was approached by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation about using his college athletic experience as a platform to raise money. Starting earlier this fall and running through the end of the Dutch season in early May, Feldmann is posting content on his Instagram account (@gabetracksdowncf) and thanking supporters who have donated to the foundation.
“It was the option that really stuck out to me,” he said. “I work out every day no matter what for track, but I’m still raising money doing what I do normally.”
He’s working towards clocking in at 48 seconds in the 400 this year.
“My goal is to run a 48 this year,” he said. “If I’m able to do that, I’ll be able to tell everybody who supported me in this that they were there with me.”
Raising money for the foundation is not new to the Feldmann family, who ran fundraising events in Mount Pleasant from 2016-2023.
Money isn’t the only motivation for Feldmann, who also wants to inspire other people with cystic fibrosis to chase big goals.
“I said I was never going to let being born with cystic fibrosis limit me.” he said. “I’ve been an athlete my whole life. If I could show any other kid that having cystic fibrosis doesn’t have to hold them back, that would be super cool. It’s the entire goal.”
