Running With Ella

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.

Race Features

Timed training half marathon starting at 6:30 A.M. Half is an out and back starting at the WGWL Trailhead & Welcome Center - 110 East Main Street Riceville IA 50466.

Medals for 1st and 2nd place overall male and overall female finishers.

Timed 5K Run/Walk starting at 8 A.M. 5K route is out and back starting at the WGWL Trailhead & Welcome Center

Medals for first and second place male and female finishers in their age category. Age categories are: Under 18, 18-25, 26-35, 36-49, 50-64, 65+.

Kids free ½ mile Fun Run approx. 8:45 A.M. No fee or registration required. For children 10 years and younger.

Free all you can eat pancakes with sausage for registered participants.

$7 all you can eat pancakes and sausage for non-registered participants; $3 for kids (4/under) 7:30 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. in the lower level of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (one block SE from the WGWL Trailhead/race start/finish line).

Same-Day registration will be available on Saturday, August 2nd

5:45-6:25 A.M. $50 for Training Half Marathon.

6:30-7:55 A.M. $30 for 5K

Races take place on a paved trail that takes you through farmland, woods and restored prairie.

A portion of the event proceeds goes to a local charity. This year's charity is the Little Cats Daycare.

Visit wgwltrail.com for other events like the

Border Bike - The Official Interstate Bike Ride to MN and Beyond https://borderbike.wgwltrail.com/

USATF Certified & Sanctioned IronHorse Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K http://ironhorse.wgwltrail.com/

Fat Tire to McIntire https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/IA/Riceville/FatTiretoMcIntire

Kasson Festival in the Park 5k Run/Walk and Kids Run

Kids run will start at 8am. Ages 10 and under are encouraged to participate. There is no registration or registration fee for the kids run.

The 5k will start at 8:15am with awards to follow once all competitors have finished.

All 5k registrants who register before August 1st will receive a Kasson Festival in the Park 5k t-shirt. Those who register after August will receive a t-shirt while supplies last.

The 5k will be chip timed.

Packet with bib, chip, and t-shirt will be available pre-race starting at 7:30am.

Race day registration will also be available at 7:30am on the day of the race.

An awards ceremony will take place following the race.

All proceeds will be donated to the Kasson-Mantorville Track and Field Program.

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.