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.