This 15h annual event will honor the life of Austin native and running enthusiast, Darren Lewis. (1973-2011) All events will start and end at Horace Austin State Park located at 600 N Main Street Austin, MN. The first 150 registrants will receive a tee shirt and a new Darren Dash official head band. The 5K will start at 11:00 am. Water stops and post race refreshments will be provided for all participants. Proceeds from this event will go to a scholarship fund for Austin High School and Pacelli Cross Country runners and for programs committed to improving mental and physical health in the community. Darren Dash has given out over $41,000 in scholarships to date. Thank you for your support. Please contact us with any questions or comments. Registration can be done on line at www.darrendash.org, or at Lewis Physical Therapy (1700 17th Street N.W. Suite 2D in Austin, MN 55912). Packet pick up will be the morning of the race from 9:00 AM to 10:50 AM at Horace Austin State Park located at
600 N Main Street Austin, MN.
Event details and schedule
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.