Famous Family: Meet the Kleckers


It was always destined that the kids of Barney and Janis Klecker would-be runners. At one point in 2011, 5 of the 6 Klecker kids were on the Hopkins cross country team. Let's learn more about this extensive family of runners: 


Barney Klecker

- Former American men's 50k record holder (2:51:53)

-  Former American record holder for 50 miles (4:51:25) 

- 1978 Grandma's Marathon champion

- American Ultrarunning Hall of Famer 

Janis Klecker

- Mother of six children.

- 1991 U.S. Olympics Trials Marathon Champion

- 21st at 1992 Barcelona Olympics marathon

- 2x Twin Cities marathon champ, 2x San Francisco Marathon Champ

- 2:30.12 marathon PR

- American women 50k record holder (3:13:51) 

Mary Klecker

- Ran track and cross country at Augsburg 

- 19:34.69 5k PR

- 5:07.82 mile PR

- Communications specialist at a public school in the Twin Cities

Sarah Klecker

- Ran track and cross country at the University of Minnesota

-  18:39.24 5k PR

- 5:07.37 Mile PR

- Lives in Portland, Oregon. Studies Sports Product Design at the University of Oregon

Joe Klecker

- Gatorade Minnesota Boys Track & Field Player of the Year - 2015

- Class AA State Champion 1600m & 3200m (2015)

- 7x First Team All-American at University of Colorado

- 11x NCAA qualifier at Colorado

- School record holder in the indoor 5,000 (13:34.10)

- 2019 NCAA Cross Country Championship runner-up.

John Klecker

- Ran track and cross country at Augustana University

- 2x MSHSL state participant in track and cross country

- 2:01.18 800m PR

- 4:12.01 Mile PR

- Pursuing a PhD in chemistry at Stony Brook University

James Klecker 

- Sophomore Linebacker at University of St. Thomas

- Only Klecker kid to not run cross country

- Thrower and hurdler at Hopkins

Bit Klecker

- Runs track and cross country at the University of Minnesota

- 3x Minnesota Class AA State Cross Country Championship individual qualifier

- Ranks second in school history (Hopkins) in the 1600m (4:59.80) and 3200m (10:56.52)

- Owns a wedding photography business


Check out more about the family here: The Klecker Family Running Circus