Janis Klecker

Janis Klecker was a marathoner who finished 21st in that race at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. She was twice US champion, winning the title in 1987 and 1992, with the 1992 race doubling as the Olympic Trials. Klecker won many city marathons in the US, winning the Twin Cities Marathon in 1980 and 1991-92, the San Francisco Marathon 1983 and 1990, Grandma’s Marathon (Duluth, MN) in 1981 and 1987, and the California International Marathon in 1988 and 1990. Klecker ran in college at the University of Minnesota, and later attended the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, and then joined Blue Ridge Dental in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Klecker’s husband, Joseph Richard “Barney” Klecker, was also renowned as an ultramarathoner, who set a 1980 world record for 50 miles on the roads, and held the American record for 50 km on the track. He also won several city marathons, including the 1978 Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota; the 1979 US Olympic Sports Festival marathon; and the City of Lakes Marathon (later the Twin Cities Marathon) in 1978-79. Their son, Joe Klecker, made the 2020/21 US Olympic Team for the Tokyo Olympics in the 10,000 metres.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-30:12 (1992).