A half-marathon with mini-donuts happening Saturday

Race to honor “Oly” and benefits suicide prevention

It’s a half marathon with donut in the title. What could be better?

The first annual Mini-Donut Half Marathon takes place at 7 a.m. Saturday, going from Onalaska to Trempealeau.

The 13.1-mile run takes place along the Great River State Trail with views of Lake Onalaska, the Mississippi River and the Upper Mississippi Wildlife Area.

The race begins near the  Onalaska YMCA (400 Mason St.) and ends outside the Trempealeau Hotel – ending with a handful of mini donuts for finishers, of course.

Those donuts are in rememberance of Mike “Oly” Olson, who committed suicide at the age of 59 in 2013. He worked a mini donut trail for years, making many laugh along the way.

Proceeds for the race benefit the Joe Was Just Joe Foundation, a local non-profit to develop and fund programs and educational resources for issues related to suicide. Its focus is to create awareness and prevention with an emphasis on programs for young adults, ages 12 to 24.

Along with the half, there will also be a mini-mile walk at the hotel beginning at 10 a.m., which people can still join. The half was limited to the first 300 runners. Awards for the half take place at 9:45 a.m.

Afterward, stay for live music from the Bandsaw Brothers and the third annual Tremptoberfest. There will be a shuttle bus taking people back to the YMCA every half hour until noon.

Packets can be picked up tonight until 7 p.m. at Grand Bluff Running (509 Main St., La Crosse, Wis.) or from 6-6:45 a.m. tomorrow at Miracle Field at the YMCA.