Hopkins Grad Wins Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon

2012 Hopkins High School grad John Klecker won Saturday’s Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in Duluth.

The 19-year-old’s time of 1 hour, 9 minutes and 19 seconds in the 13.1-mile race put him on a 5:18-per-mile pace and eight seconds ahead of the runner-up.

A total of 6,627 runners entered the race.

Klecker is no stranger to running success. In his senior year, he finished ninth overall at the state cross country championship. And in his freshman year at Augustana College, he placed 56th at the NSIC Championships.

His parents have also seen success in the related Grandma’s Marathon. Barney Klecker won the 1978 Grandma’s Marathon, while Janis Klecker won the 1987 race.

In addition, his 14-year-old sister Elizabeth ‘Bit’ Klecker placed second in her division, 21st out of the 3,904 females in the race and 151st overall. And his twin sister Mary Klecker finished 26th in her division, 34th among the females and 200th overall.

His brother Joe Klecker is also an elite runner, although he didn’t run in the race. He finished third in this year’s state cross country championships.