Couple cracks all-time high with MS Run

Carl and Denise Wieman had some extra motivation to finish this year’s annual MS River Run.

Their trip proved to be a sentimental journey as they paid tribute to Carl’s uncle, Bob Wieman, who died just two weeks ago at 100 years old. Carl and Denise traveled on the run on a Honda Gold Wing, which has now been involved 26 years with the first 10 years with Bob and now the past 16 with Carl and Denise.

The Wiemans dedicated their ride to Bob, who rode in the run for years and raised more than $50,000 for MS. During that time, Bob won many awards as the oldest rider as well as top fundraiser. His last trip was at 80 years old in 2002.

“He went on saying that after he was done riding that we should continue with the ride and try to exceed his goals for MS,” said Carl. “He encouraged us to not just try to do the minimum, but try to exceed at our fundraising and work with MS.”

And the Wiemans have done just that and more.

Since 2002, Carl and Denise have picked up the torch and dedicated their lives to riding in the run and helping MS. This year alone the Owatonna couple raised a personal record of $7,500, bringing their 20-year total to more than $90,000. This year’s total was bolstered by a $2,500 donation from Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont.

No other cycle has come close to as many rides as the Wiemans have done on their Gold Wing.

“There are very few people that have been on the ride more than 20 years, and most of them have bought new bikes through the years,” Carl said.

The Wiemans have no plans to get rid of the Gold Wing.

“That will never be sold and will stay in the Wieman family forever,” Carl says.

On Saturday, the Wiemans and dozens of other motorcyclists took off on the 37^th annual River Road Run from Leo’s South in Lakeville to Tomah, Wis. Carl and Denise have designed the route for the past few years. And this year was no exception.

The goal of designing the run is to have scenic routes with no interstates and very few state roads, according to Carl. “We want to make this more of a leisurely ride and enjoyable for people,” he said.

The Wiemans are passionate about multiple sclerosis as Denise’s niece, Lori Serbus, died from complications in 2004.

Funds are raised on the run for research in hopes of finding a cure for MS, a chronic and often disabling disease of the central nervous sytem.

Carl and Denise are still accepting donations to add to this year’s record. They can be sent to the Wiemans at 524 Glendale St., Owatonna, MN 55060. All contributions are tax-deductible.