Sherman Lake YMCA Aqua Dash

The 177th Regional Training Institute (RTI) MIARNG is excited to announce its fourth annual Fort Custer ‘Defender’ 5K. The event will be held on Saturday, the 2nd of May 2026 and is open to the public (race form registration needed for access). Come out and join the 5k run/walk on our route here at beautiful Fort Custer Training Center, located in Augusta, MI. This is a family friendly event, and all abilities are welcome to participate. The Fort Custer Museum will be open until noon along with a military vehicle display.

Participants: Maximum number of participants will be limited to 250

Price: 5k run/walk is a $35 entry fee.

Route: The course is a flat, paved route that travels around the main part of Fort Custer and into a short section of the training area. A water station is available at the crossroads of 26th and Armstrong allowing access to water just prior to 1 mile and just after 2 miles on the course. Please note that the course is all on 2 lane roads which are still open for vehicle travel. Strollers are allowed but please no pets.

Swag: All participants will receive a finishers medal (new design from past races) and new this year is running socks. Socks are not guaranteed for those registered after 15 April 2024.

Sponsors: Thank you to our sponsors:

• NGAM (National Guard Association of Michigan)

• Uecker Consulting, LLC

• Spartan Nash

Packet Pickup: Day of race packet pickup only. Packet pickup & registration will be along Custers First Stand located on the Northeast corner of the parking area. Gates open at 0700 for entry and packet pickup. Restrooms are available inside the All-Ranks Club and inside the Fort Custer Education Center (FCEC).

Schedule: Run/walk will begin at 0900. Award ceremony will be held at 1015.

Results: Results will be live during the race and posted on this website. The race will be professionally timed by Epic Timing.

Awards: Winners will be awarded for the following gender M/F and age groups:

• 13 and under

• 14-18

• 19-25

• 26-35

• 36-45

• 46-55

• 56+

Award ceremony will be held following the race in the military vehicle display area on the Southeast corner of the parking area at 1015.

Parking: Once cleared of the gate proceed straight thru the first stop sign (Armstrong Road) then turn left at the second stop sign (Harmonia Road). Proceed to the FCEC parking lot on the right. NOTE: Wayne road will be blocked as will the entrance to the parking lot from Wayne Road. Registration/check-in will be along Custers First Stand in the Northeast corner.

Proceeds go to the 177th Regiment RTI MWR and Ft Custer All Ranks Club which provides support and services to Soldiers of Fort Custer

A note about the location: The gated entrance utilized to gain access to Ft Custer Training Center is located at crossroads of Denso Road and Clark Road, Augusta MI. Allow time for entry to the installation. This event is located on an active military installation; all vehicles are subject to search upon entry. Personally owned weapons are not authorized. Marijuana is not allowed on military installations. Violators will be barred from entry.

Lace up your sneakers and join us for the DENSO Jula Hustle 1K/5K – the most exciting 3.1 miles you'll ever run (or walk, skip, or dance through)!

🏃‍♂️ Whether you're a seasoned runner or just here for the snacks and vibes, this event is for YOU.

📅 Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 1K event at 9:00am, 5K event at 10:00am

📍 Location: DENSO Recreation Center

🏅 Finisher Medals | 📸 Photo Ops | 🎶 Music | 🍩 Post-Race Treats

Bring your family or bring a friend. Let's make memories and miles together!

Why a Hot Dog Run? Because it's fun!

This Memorial Day, we invite you to join us as we race into summer with the Hot Diggity Dog 5k & 1 Mile Mustard Run! The races kick off at 9:00am with scenic routes that follow our camp trails and paved roads and end with free hot dogs at the finish line! Lace-up for your own personal record or a fun run; this day is for everyone, from speed demons to casual strollers and all levels in between.

If you relish the thought of hot dogs in the morning, try our "Run Relish Repeat" challenge! Eat a hot dog after miles 1, 2, and 3, then sprint to the finish line! Complete the challenge and receive our signature Run Relish Repeat Challenge medal! Registration for the Run Relish Repeat Challenge is limited to 75 participants.

Middle School and High School Youth are invited to join their own Cereal City Triathlon training group. The training will last six weeks, culminating with the Cereal City Triathlon on July 18th, 2026. Registration for the Cereal City Athletics Youth Tri Club includes a training schedule and coaches for six weeks. Focus will be spent on confidence in open water swimming, understanding and practicing transitions, and safety while cycling on the road. Each triathlete is required to bring his/her own bike helmet and swim buoy (available as a registration add on) to each training session. Participants must register separately for the Cereal City Triathlon. They will have the option of training for the "Sprint" distance or the "Super Sprint" distance based upon their skill level and the recommendation from their coaches.

Kids MUST know how to swim in order to participate in this group.

Fridays 1PM-2:30PM: Swim, Bike, Run from Eagle Lake at Fort Custer. (Registration Fee does not include State Park Passport require for Fort Custer Entry)

Gear needed: Goggles, Caps, Swim Buoy (available for purchase on registration page), swim suit or TRI suit, Road bike, Bike helmet, Running shoes

RACE LOCATION:

• Richland Gull Lake High School, 7753 N 34th St, Richland, MI 49083

• The 2025 Race Location (Start/Finish) will be at the High School. This is the same location as last year.

About Kathy's Run for Cancer:

Kathy was diagnosed over the Memorial Day Weekend in 2023 with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. While there is no cure for this disease it is very treatable. Kathy has undergone multiple radiation and chemotherapy treatments. After twelve weeks she’s had a great response to the treatment and is now only getting immunotherapy infusions every three weeks.

Kathy is a fighter, and her great attitude has been instrumental to her positive results. By supporting our local cancer centers and education Kathy feels this turns a difficult situation into something very positive.

The opportunity to revamp this race came at the right time as the committee for the Rose Run decided to step away. Kathy has gotten incredible care at the Bronson Cancer Center along with the West Michigan Cancer Center. Kathy would like to provide support for the work these organizations do by using the money raised during the race to support their efforts. In addition, Kathy desires to start a scholarship for graduating Gull Lake High School seniors wishing to enter nursing school.

Thank you for reading her story. Please pass the word along about this exciting event, Kathy’s Run for Cancer on the 4th of July 2025.

Event Fees:

• Early Registration fees are February 1st thru May 31st (11:59 pm) online registration is $35.00. 1K Run/Walk is $15.

• Registration on June 1st to July 2nd (11:59 pm) online registration is $40.00 .

• Late Registration on July 3rd and July 4th is $45.00

• There is a family discount of $3 off per person with a quantity of 3-5 people.

• All Late Registrations must be done on computers or cell phones. No paper registrations onsite.

• No refunds will be issued.

• You will be guaranteed a tech shirt with online registration until midnight on June 23rd. No exchanges in size will be allowed at packet pickup. Once you touch the shirt, it’s yours. If you are not sure about sizing please size up from your normal size when registering.

Event Registration Information:

• Packet Pickup and Registration will be at the Richland Gull Lake High School (7753 N 34th St, Richland, MI 49083).

• Packet Pickup and Registration on Thursday, July 3rd @ 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

• Race Day Packet Pickup will begin on July 4th @ 6:00 am

• Race Time: 1K Run July 3rd @ 6:30 pm | 10K Run July 4th @ 7:30 am. 5K Run July 4th @ 7:45 am

• EACH EVENT WILL HAVE 10 MINUTES TO START THEIR RACE

1K Fun Run/Walk

• We are excited to add a 1K Fun Run/Walk on July 3rd at 6:30 pm.

• Registration fee will be $15.

• Start will be the same as the 5K and 10K at Gull Lake High School.

• Please note: This event is not timed.

Course Notes:

• All events start at the High School* (7753 N 34th St, Richland, MI 49083). The course winds through streets neighboring the Gull Lake Schools, as well as the Richland countryside. Aid stations are strategically placed on the course.

• Due to limitations with this year’s race the 10K route will be run on the 5K course twice around. The start line and finish line will be two separate chutes.

Tee Shirts:

• All shirts will be a technical tee shirt. You will be guaranteed a tech shirt with online registration until midnight on June 23rd.

Results / Awards:

• Results will be LIVE on RunSignUp and posted during the event. Computerized timing with disposable chips provided by Mac's Sports Timing.

• Age Divisions: 9 and Under, 10-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 and Over

Safety:

• Please social distance. For safety purposes, no bicycles, skateboards, roller-blades, or roller skates are allowed on the course. Baby strollers will be allowed. No dogs are allowed on the course during the race.