TRI Clear Lake 2026

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!

First Responders "Bring in the Backup" Triathlon represents all branches of the Military, Firefighters, Nurses, EMS, Dispatchers, Corrections, and Law Enforcement. The First Responders will lead off the race, followed by all other race participants as 'backup' to support the First Responders. We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, July 25th, 2026 at Northwood, Iowa (Swensrud Park) Swimming Pool for this patriotic themed racing event. You do not have to be a First Responder to participate in the race.

The First Responders Triathlon welcomes athletes of all abilities. The goal is to get active and have a good time at a fun event. The Triathlon Race is a Sprint Distance Triathlon consisting of 150 meter swim, 10.4 mile bike ride, and a 5k run. The swim is held at the Northwood Pool. The bike course is on a public highway with rolling hills for most of the course. The 5k run is mostly flat, with one gradual hill.

**Athletes are able to compete in the triathlon as an individual or in a 2-3 person relay team. Duathlon is an individual event. Aquabike is an individual event. The Duathlon replaces the swim with a 1.5 mile run, followed by the same 10.4 mile bike ride and 5k run. Aquabike consists of a 250 meter swim and the 10.4 mile bike ride.

Proceeds raised from the triathlon will be donated to Worth County Sheriff's Office, Northwood Fire and Rescue Department and the Future First Responders Scholarship for students at Northwood-Kensett.

Also, there is an optional donation page through the signup process. This year we honor 2 First Responders families with a donation:

On December 11, 2006, 23-year-old Marine Lance Corporal C.J. Miller of Greenfield, Iowa, was killed by an IED in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Miller was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. He was described as selfless, optimistic, and filled with a deep sense of duty to both God and country. C.J. willingly chose to put others ahead of himself. A 2001 high school graduate, Miller played football and wrestled. Before joining the Marines, he served as an assistant wrestling coach. He showed great respect for others, referring to those older than himself as “Mister.” Fellow coaches said students looked up to him. In 2006, C.J. was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V,” and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

On November 2, 2016, Urbandale Police Department Officer Justin Martin was sitting in his patrol car when a subject approached the vehicle and opened fire without warning, shooting into the driver's side. Officer Martin died from his wounds. Martin graduated from Rockwell City-Lytton High School in 2011. In 2015, he graduated from Simpson College and became a police officer with the Urbandale Police Department. He achieved the highest honor in scouting which is an Eagle Scout, and he was a football player for Simpson College. Those who knew him described him as a kind, gentle, and compassionate person who was deeply committed to serving the public.

The entry fee will provide each athlete their race entry, a race t-shirt, a race medal, timing of all events, some prizes, and refreshments to race participants. Trutimeracing will have extensive breakdown of each athletes racing times. A t-shirt will be provided to athletes who register on or before July 16th, 2026. To guarantee yourself a shirt please sign up by this date.

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

Raise your pinky, it’s time to raise a toast to with a Champagne 5K run/walk! Kick off your Harvest Festival day with this fun morning run along South Shore, cross a finish line of tiny bubbles, and sip on some bubbly. Registration includes a Champagne 5K t-shirt and complimentary champagne at the turnaround and finish line.

Registered Runners may pick up their race packet Wednesday-Friday prior to the race at the Chamber office from 8am-5pm and Saturday 8am-8:45am at the Lakeview Room in City Park.

*Register by September 7th to be guaranteed a t-shirt.

**Please note, the Champagne 5K is open to runners of all ages, but you must be 21+ to enjoy the bubbly. Under 21 will receive a bottle of sports drink.

Registration is 8am at the Lakeview Room in City Park. Fun run begins at 9am. Route will begin at the Yacht Club on Main Ave & S. Shore and go along South Shore Drive with turnaround at the Eastridge Condos at 2351 S. Lakeview Drive, just past the "Y"!

Prizes will be awarded for top 3 finishers (female, male, and youth) plus best individual costume, best group costume, and best pet costume!