Fools Five Brings Thousands for Cancer Fundraising to Lewiston

Annual road race and auction raise over $2.4 million for cancer research since 1979.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:06am

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A minimalist design in the style of Keith Haring, with glowing neon lines outlining runners in motion against a dark background, conceptually representing the energy and community spirit of the Fools Five road race.The vibrant Fools Five road race brings the Lewiston community together in a shared mission to support cancer research.Rochester Today

Despite cold weather, the city of Lewiston, Minnesota saw the return of the Fools Five Road Race on Saturday, attracting nearly 1,300 runners and walkers. The race, which dubs itself as the North Star State's oldest race for cancer research, has raised over $2.4 million for cancer research over the past 48 years. On Friday, an auction raised more than $39,000 from hundreds of items available for bidding, which organizers describe as one of its cornerstone fundraising events.

Why it matters

The Fools Five race and auction have become a beloved tradition in the Lewiston community, bringing the town together to support a cause that has touched the lives of so many. The event's longevity and the significant funds raised for cancer research at institutions like the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota demonstrate the community's unwavering commitment to the fight against cancer.

The details

The Fools Five Road Race offers both an 8k and 1-mile course, with runners and walkers packing the streets of Lewiston to participate. Organizers estimate that nearly 1,300 people turned out for this year's event. In addition to the race, the Fools Five also hosts an annual auction that raised over $39,000 this year from hundreds of donated items.

  • The Fools Five Road Race has been held annually since 1979.
  • This year's race took place on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • The auction was held on the previous Friday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Fools Five Road Race

An annual road race in Lewiston, Minnesota that has raised over $2.4 million for cancer research since 1979.

Gundersen Medical Foundation

A non-profit organization in La Crosse, Wisconsin that has received a portion of the funds raised by the Fools Five.

Eagles Cancer Telethon

A fundraiser in Rochester, Minnesota that has also received a portion of the funds raised by the Fools Five.

Hormel Institute for Cancer Research

A cancer research center that has received a portion of the funds raised by the Fools Five.

Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota

A cancer research center at the University of Minnesota that has received a portion of the funds raised by the Fools Five.

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What they’re saying

“It [the race] brings the community together. The effort taken to raise money for cancer research and encouraging physical fitness are everything you'd want in a race.”

— Zach Brown, Onalaska resident

“I think it's really cool that there's this many people that come out and support a great cause. Even in these small towns that we have, we don't really have that many people. And you see every single person from Lewiston out here just supporting it, and even people from other towns [like] Winona and Rushford, it's really cool.”

— Isaac Rasmussen, Rushford student

“For 48 years, there's been people coming out [and] supporting the town of Lewiston. Everybody's been touched by cancer.”

— Gary Mills, Co-founder and former track coach

What’s next

Organizers announced the dates for next year's auction and race are April 3 and April 4, 2027, respectively.

The takeaway

The Fools Five Road Race and auction have become a cherished tradition in Lewiston, bringing the community together to support a cause that has impacted so many lives. The event's longevity and the substantial funds raised for cancer research at prominent institutions demonstrate the town's unwavering commitment to the fight against cancer.