First Responders "Bring in the Backup" Triathlon

This run honors Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson who was KIA on August 6, 2011 while serving in Afghanistan. All proceeds from the race will support Retrieving Freedom, Inc. to provide service dogs to our veterans.

Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Jon Thomas "JT" Tumilson was killed along with 29 other Americans and 1 service dog on August 6, 2011 when the chinook he was traveling on was shot down in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. To honor his memory, his family founded 3 Minutes Out, Inc which is a non-profit established to help active duty military, veterans, and their families through various programs.

Jon had a love for life and running was one of the things he loved to do. To honor his memory his family has planned an annual 5K run and walk to encourage others to get fit no matter what their physical fitness level. Jon was the type of guy that set his goals high and never let obstacles stand in his way. He always remained positive and just pressed on. We want others to "Crush Their Excuses to Conquer Their Goals" and honor his memory and all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice through service to this country.

When you are registering, we encourage you to create team names. We will again be awarding an award for the largest Corporate Team and the largest Family Team so grab your friends, family, and coworkers and join us for a fun race day through the same trails that JT used to run through.

The VIRTUAL RUN is for those that can't be present at the event, but will run somewhere that day in honor of JT.

ANY registrations received after Friday July 11, 2025 will NOT be guaranteed a race shirt. Also, any shirts not picked up on race day will not be mailed to the participant unless prior arrangements have been made.

Event details and schedule

Friday July 11, 2025

Last day to register to be guaranteed a race t-shirt

Friday July 25, 2025

4:00-6:30 pm Race Registration and Packet Pick Up Rockford Fossil and Prairie Park, Rockford IA

Saturday July 26, 2025

6:30-7:45 am Race Registration and Packet Pick Up Rockford Fossil and Prairie Park, Rockford IA

8:00 am Opening Ceremony Rockford Fossil and Prairie Park, Rockford IA

8:30 am Jon Tumilson Go Crush It 5K Challenge Start Rockford Fossil and Prairie Park, Rockford IA

9:30 am Jon Tumilson Frogman Fun Run Start Rockford Fossil and Prairie Park, Rockford IA

10:00 am Awards Ceremony Rockford Fossil and Prairie Park, Rockford IA

11:30 am Rockford Fun Days Parade Rockford Main Street business district, Rockford IA Activities throughout the day for the whole family. Lunch will be available for purchase.

REMINDER...Jon Tumilson memorial gear will ONLY be available to purchase during packet pick up on Friday and during the race on Saturday. We will NOT have a booth this year downtown in the park following the race.

There are NO FIREWORKS this year. With this being our final year of this event we want to have as many funds available to make our final donation to Retrieving Freedom. As heartbreaking as this is for us, I know Jon would want us to do that!

A Splash and Dash is a fun and fast-growing sport that combines swimming and running. The TRI Clear Lake Splash & Dash is a participatory event for kids ages 7-15 with an emphasis on creating a fun family weekend of multisport and fitness. As an official part of the USA Triathlon Youth Aquathlon Series. Every participant will receive a finisher medal, Parents are encouraged to cheer on their kids as they move through the course and finish under the same arch as the adult racers. The race will be held Friday, August 28th at 6:30pm. Athletes will be staged by age with the oldest going off first.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The kids will start the swim at City Beach and swim North along the shore until they reach the swim exit. 7-10 year old's will swim 100 meters 11-15 year old's will swim out a little deeper and complete a 200 meter swim exiting in the same location as the younger kids. Both courses will have numerous lifeguards in the water and safety personnel on site ensuring a safe and fun swim.

As the swimmers exit, they will enter the transition area where they can change into their running shoes and hit the road. The 7-10 year old's will complete a 1k lap around City Park, kids 11-15 will complete a 2k run down North Lakeview Dr, turn around and come back to 1st Ave. N. and continue East and run around the top portion of City Park to finish line. Volunteers will be on site to ensure runners are going the correct direction. There will be one aid station as the runners exit transition with water and sports drink. All athletes will receive a finisher medal & a TRI Clear Visor at the finish line! Refreshments will also be provided.

PACKET PICK-UP/TRANSITION

Kids can pick up their race packet at the Lakeview Room in City Park. Body marking will done when the kids receive their packet. The transition area will be divided into two sections, one half for kids 7-10 and one half for kids 11-15. Kids will be free to choose their own spot. Packet pick-up will begin at 3pm on Friday.

EVENT TIMELINE

Friday, August 28th – Clear Lake, IA

3:00-6:00pm : Packet pick-up at Lakeview Room in City Park

5:30pm : Transition opens (transition will be divided into two areas, Juniors and Seniors. Transition spots will be first come first serve)

6:15pm : Pre-race briefing at start location on the beach

6:30pm : Senior division, 11-15, starts (athletes will line up and enter the water in pairs every 3 seconds)

6:40pm : Junior division , 7-10, starts (this time is an approximation based on numbers. Athletes will enter the water in pairs every 3 seconds)

7-10 YEAR OLDS – JUNIORS

100-meter swim | 1-kilometer run

11-15 YEAR OLDS – SENIORS

200-meter swim | 2-kilometer run

Running With Ella is not quite your typical 5k. We have no podium (though we just might hand out an odd prize or two), or timer. Putting up a lightning fast time at our 5k will not qualify you for the Boston Marathon. But what we do bring to the table–in spades, if we can brag just a little–is the spirit of joy, hope, and community.

We gather on this morning to celebrate movement of any kind–whether that means running, walking, skipping, or dancing your way to the finish line. From dad jokes to high fives to music, we put as much into the fun as we do the run (or walk or dance or...you get it).

Once again this year, our event ends just as one of the most popular annual gatherings in town–the Austin ArtWorks Festival–begins. Participants will reach the finish line just in time to join in for the Festival kick-off on Saturday morning.

This event is more than just fun, though; by joining us, you’re helping to raise money for the Riverland College Emergency Grant Scholarship, which will support students who experience an unforeseen financial burden that would otherwise negatively impact their academic success and possibly even derail their future.

Running With Ella is a charity run lovingly organized by With Ella, Inc. to celebrate the memory of Ella Page. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our mission is to support college-aged women and others as they navigate the unique challenges of early adulthood–particularly those revolving around mental health. We strive to create a safe, uplifting community that empowers young people to break the silence that too often stifles those at life’s starting line, to build resilience, to nurture their mental and physical wellbeing, and to lead healthier, happier lives.

Our event includes both a 5k and virtual 5k, as we hope to include those who can't make the trip to Austin. Please help us celebrate Ella's memory and champion her legacy in giving back to the educational community.

📣 Exciting News! The TRI Clear Lake Triathlon is moving to August 29th! You asked, and we listened — same great race, just warmer water and plenty of summer sunshine. Plus, you’ll have all summer to train and get in the lake for some open-water swim practice. Get ready for an incredible day of racing, community, and fun at the lake! 🌊🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️

TRI Clear Lake has been named the state championship race, once again, by USA Triathlon for 2026. This is a testament to our TRI Clear Lake committee and Clear Lake as a whole. Our committee is dedicated to putting on one of the BEST and most professionally produced races in the Midwest, and our community shows up to support it. Here's to 2026! Now, it's time to take the plunge and sign up to TRY TRI Clear Lake.

The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 10th Annual TRI Clear Lake Triathlon sanctioned by USA Triathlon on Saturday, August 29, 2026. The scenic course will commence at City Beach; 500M for Sprint and 1,500M for Olympic, the flat & fast 1 or 2-loop bike course (Sprint: 12.5 Miles • Olympic: 25 Miles) guides athletes out and back along South Shore Drive. The race is capped off with a 3.1 or 6.2 mile run on North Shore drive along beautiful Clear Lake and back to lakeside finish in City Park downtown.

This is the perfect race for beginners, or for experienced triathletes alike looking for a great tune-up race for Ironman 70.3 Des Moines! Clear Lake a beautiful tourist destination conveniently located on I 35 2 hours North of Des Moines & 2 hours South of Minneapolis. At the completion of the race, you will experience a high-energy lakefront finisher party, complete with music, food & beverages!

The 9/11 Heroes Run 5K welcomes runners, ruckers, and walkers of all ages and fitness levels to honor the heroes of 9/11 and those who've served our nations since. We activate & unite communities and empower local veterans, active duty, first responders, and families of the fallen.

TMF is proud to partner with GORUCK again with rucking divisions at every run. Rucking is a sport based on special forces training in which participants walk or run while carrying weighted rucksacks. All participants registered for the GORUCK division will earn this year's exclusive TMF GORUCK patch. Learn more about GORUCK here.