Salute the Troops Memorial Day Weekend Half Marathon

Join us for the 8th Annual Salute the Troops Memorial Races. The 2019 races will feature a half marathon and the Dobogai Memorial 5k run/walk. A kids ‘fun run’ for children 12 and under is only $10, and includes activities throughout the race. This event helps raise money for Salute the Troops of Wisconsin which uses that funding to help Veterans in Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Dodge counties. All proceeds stay local.  

Oven Island is our command central. All of the kids’ activities including the bounce house and games are on Oven Island. The Dobogai Memorial 5K Run/Walk takes place inside the park boundaries while the Salute Half Marathon starts at Oven Island, takes advantage of our loop trail and city streets, the recreational trail along Hwy 151, and Winnebago Dr before finishing back at Oven Island.

RUCK INFORMATION:

Why we ruck...

Brandon Michael our Marine, son, brother, father, uncle, friend is why we ruck. Brandon  was a Marine Corps Veteran who joined the U.S. Marines without hesitation in 2006. Brandon loved his country and his family more than anything, he was happy to protect the things that he loved and did so with pride. Brandon served in Operation Iraq Freedom and was stationed in Fallujah, Iraq from 2007-2008. He formed bonds and was a part of a brotherhood that would never be paralleled. When Brandon came home we were all so proud, he was our hero and we never viewed him has anything less. Over the years Brandon struggled with transitioning back to civilian life. He fought each and every day to overcome the new obstacles that were in front of him. Brandon loved life, his family, and being a Marine. His favorite color was red because it represents freedom and tractors. His children were his two favorite people in the entire world and he loved them more than words could ever describe. As Brandon fought he grew tired and on July 15, 2018 he finally found the peace he had been searching for over the years. Brandon was kindhearted, gentle, humble, and is sincerely missed by all who knew and loved him. His bright eyes and shy smile have been forever etched in our memories. 

We ruck to honor the memory of the fallen and remember everyone deployed. We ruck to show support for an elite group of individuals that don’t receive the recognition and care that they deserve. We ruck to advocate for change and facilitate comradery. We ruck because we will never truly understand the sacrifice of a soldier, however want to continue to try. We ruck for Brandon and for all of the others individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Hero’s don’t wear capes, they wear dog tags.

Online registration closes on May 24st at 11:59PM you will still be able to register at packet pick-up and on race day.

TENTATIVE RACE DAY SCHEDULE:

6:00 AM: Onsite registration opens (ends 15 minutes before each race start)

6:50 AM: Opening Ceremony

7:00 AM: Half Marathon START

7:30 AM: 5K START

10:00 AM: HALF MARATHON COURSE CUTOFF

09:30 AM: KIDS RACE START

09:45 AM: AWARDS