Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - Those planning to take part in the annual Flood Run this weekend are catching a break from Mother Nature - a nice break.

Weather forecasters are predicting dry and warm weather with temps approaching 80 on Sunday.

Thousands of motorcyclists are expected to take runs up and down both sides of the Mississippi River between the Twin Cities and Winona.

The popular event had its origins in Winona back in 1965 when the city was hit hard by spring flooding of the Mississippi. A dozen motorcyclists from the Twin Cities hopped on their bikes and headed to Winona where they helped in sandbagging efforts.

According to the Flood Run website:

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.

The event has become a fundraiser for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St Paul. Extra state troopers and law enforcement officers will be assigned to the ride zone to “ensure a safe riding environment.”

There is also a fall version of the Flood Run.

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