59th Annual Flood Run®
April 20, 2024 | Beach Bar
2030 St. Croix Trail S, Lake St. Croix Beach, MN
100% of all funds collected, wristabnds, sponsorships, vendors, merchandise, etc. Will go to Gillette Children's
Registration/check-in
8:00 - 11am
The sport bike route has been modified to incorporate the Gold Star run stops. See the route page for details.
As long as there is no prohibition on gathering during the periods of the Flood Run, we plan to hold the event.
Being outdoors and on motorcycles is a great way to social distance.
Next Fall Run on September 21, 2024
Meet ZaLayaa
ZaLayaa Wandrick (pronounced Za-Lay-ah) is an 11-year-old full of creativity with a passion for cooking. She loves science, soccer, and coding. ZaLayaa has shown her creativity in working with Gillette on art pieces for our events. ZaLayaa also has multiple sensory and complex medical conditions that impact her life every day, though the underlying cause of these issues remains a mystery.
ZaLayaa endured countless rounds of various tests, possible diagnoses (often rare or obscure) and even treatments at different facilities, all to no avail. Afterwards, she came to Gillette and has received the individualized care she needs. Her mom, Jazzalette, described their journey: “At the previous health care facilities, it felt like ZaLayaa was treated more like a puzzle than a person. In the end, it started to feel like trying to solve the puzzle became more important than actually addressing and improving the real-life issues we were facing every day. At Gillette, it felt more like addressing each issue individually for now.”
Before Gillette, ZaLayaa couldn't be a kid and play on a playground or ride a bike. Now, she sees more than 20 different providers at Gillette, ranging from pediatric medicine and rehabilitation specialists to physical and occupational therapists. She has worked extensively with Gillette’s therapeutic recreation specialists, who focus on helping her get involved in adaptive recreational and leisure activities. As a result, ZaLayaa has gone water skiing, played golf, and even ran from third base to home plate at a Minnesota Twins game.
“When you don’t spend a lot of time in health care settings, it’s not always easy to discern the difference between one place or another. Being in the hospital is rarely a place anyone wants to be, and often your experience is largely based upon who you end up seeing that day,” Jazzalette says. “All I can say about Gillette is that ZaLayaa feels safe there. She actually looks forward to going there. Gillette set a different standard for the level of care we thought was possible, and we’re truly grateful for that.”
Gillette has helped ZaLayaa be a kid and do everyday things like play on playground and ride a bike.
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ZaLayaa likes to show her creativity in working with Gillette on art pieces for our events such as the image (right) for the 2024 Spring Flood Run T-shirt.
ZaLayaa and Fall 2023 patient, RE.
Run Information
Official Merchandise
Pick-up wristbands at the Flood Run® booths. While you are there pick up an official Flood Run® t-shirt, pin, hat, hoodie, bandanna, etc. 100% of the money you spend in an official Flood Run® booth goes to Gillette's. Merchandise is donated by Polaris Foundation and Indian Motorcycle.
Support our Sponsors
Many of our sponsors have discounts for Flood Run® participants. You can support our sponsors all year.
Comaraderie
Join other riders
About The Flood Run®
History
The Flood Run® motorcycle ride has always been a charity event. From throwing sandbags in 1965, to buying a benefit wristband to support a great cause.
This ride will benefit Gillette Children’s
The Flood Run® has a history of giving. In 1965, 12 motorcycle riders rode 90 miles to Winona, MN to help sandbag during the 1965 Flood.
Most of the original 12 spent the next several years in Vietnam, but all were back home by 1970. They decided to carry on the tradition. Jim Noteboom named the ride The Flood Run®. As the years went by, a fall Flood Run® was added to have twice as much fun.
Over the years, the Flood Run® motorcycle run/ride has grown and gone through many changes. It is one of the oldest and largest runs in America.
The original run went down Minnesota highway 61 to Winona. Over the years, some riders began riding down Wisconsin 35. Now the run is a loop running down both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the river.
At Highway 10, riders can go left into Prescott, or right to Highway 61 and down the nostalgic Minnesota side. Riders can cross the Mississippi in Prescott, Red Wing, Wabasha, or Winona. Cross the river where ever you like, jump in where ever you like, or do the full Gold Pin Tour. Just make sure to purchase a Flood Run wristband to show your support for the Children's Hospital.
The Flood Run® is run by dozens of volunteers. Their passion for children and generous giving of their time is what permits this epic event to happen each spring and fall. Please extend a sincere “thank you” to those you run across that make your day on the Flood Run® a great day.
Thank you.