People who served in the military and the people who support them are urged to come to the border of Duluth and Rice Lake, Minn., in June to run a race that helps pay for the upkeep of Veterans Memorial Hall. The race is called the John Werner Memorial 5K.

John Werner of Rice Lake was an important friend and loyal ally of Veterans Memorial Hall in Duluth. Werner passed away in 2023 and now the Hall is an ally in keeping his name alive with a memorial 5-kilometer race. John Werner went from Vietnam War Army paratrooper to company first sergeant to command sergeant major to Cub Scout leader to mayor of Rice Lake, Minn. During that journey, he was a big supporter of Veterans Memorial Hall and his death from cancer in 2023 left a bigger hole.

John Werner was the driving force behind an annual 5K race that raised money for the Veterans Hall in Duluth.

The organization aims to honor all veterans in Minnesota and Wisconsin. That takes money, especially as the museum recovers and rebuilds from flooding last year.

There are changes to the race this year. John Werner himself was always worried that running in May would run into bad weather and it often did. This year, the race will be held June 14 and it’s hoped that many runners will use it as a warm-up to Grandma’s Marathon the next week.

The 2025 Memorial Fun Run will hit the pavement at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, at the Other Place Bar on Calvary Road on the border between Duluth and Rice Lake. People from all parts of the Northland are invited to travel to take part. Competitors can learn more about the race at https:// runsignup. com/ Race/ MN/ Duluth/ CSMJohnWernerMemorial5kRunWalk.