LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University cross country and track and field is hosting its annual Werst Race Saturday, June 5.

Eastern Oregon University alumnus and Mountaineer hall of fame member, Jason Werst, will return to La Grande this weekend for the fourth annual race in his benefit.

Werst had a bone marrow transplant and recently battled leukemia. He became the first EOU athlete to become an All-American in cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field.

Saturday's race is organized by Werst's friends, Sean Williams and Tim Riley. There are three options for participants to choose from: they can walk, run or bike a one-mile, three-mile course or choose a 2.35-mile trek up Morgan Lake. The one-and three-mile courses are set up around the EOU campus.

Werst earned a third place individual finish at the 1993 cross country district meet. He had a breakthrough 1994 season that led to a conference championship and a second place finish at regionals. In addition Werst helped the 1994 team place sixth overall at the NAIA national championships.

In indoor track, Werst finished fourth in the two-mile at the NAIA championships. In 1995 he was a finalist in the 3,000 meters.

In outdoor track he earned a fifth place finish in the grueling 10,000 meter run at districts during the 1993 season and a district championship in the 5,000 meters in 1994. At the 1994 NAIA national championships, Werst earned All-American status with a third-place finish in the 10,000 meters and an eighth-place finish in the 5,000 meters.

Admission is $10 for students, $20 for EOU faculty, staff and community members. The first 50 students to register will have their admission price waived. The race will begin at 9 a.m. at Community Stadium. Contact Angie Abel at 541-962-3640 to register for the race.