Salute the Troops

🎖️ About the Race

• Event: Join us for our 14th Annual Salute the Troops Memorial Races!
• Date: The 2025 races will take place on May 24th, 2025.
• Location: Lakeside Park, Fond Du Lac, WI.
• Timed Events: Includes 10K run, 5K run/walk, and kids ‘fun run’ for children 12 and under.

🏅 Course Information

• Accessibility: Our course is wheelchair friendly.
• Awards: 3 award divisions for wheeled participants for both the 10K and the 5K courses.
• Route: The races follow the prairie trail through and around Lakeside Park.
• Beneficiaries: Proceeds help fund Salute the Troops of Wisconsin and NAMI, focusing on local Veterans and suicide prevention.

👦 Children's Activities

• Command Central: Oven Island serves as our command central.
• Day of Registration: Registration and kids’ activities will all be on Oven Island.
• Healthy Lifestyle: The Kid's Fun Run promotes a healthy lifestyle for children through active participation.
• Age Limit: The fun run is for children aged 12 and under.

🕊️ Memorial 5K Run/Walk

• Honoring Derek: The Dobogai Memorial 5K Run/Walk is in memory of Derek Dobagi, a dedicated soldier.
• His Legacy: Derek was recognized as Lieutenant of the Year and served in Iraq.
• Support: Since 2009, his family has honored his memory and that of his comrades through this race.
• Tragedy: Derek lost his life in a helicopter crash while serving his country.

🎖️ Ruck Information

• Why We Ruck: In honor of Brandon Michael, a Marine, and the struggles faced by veterans.
• Purpose: To remember the fallen, support the deployed, and advocate for changes regarding veteran recognition.
• Brandon's Story: A beloved Marine who struggled after service and is missed by many.
• Reminder: Heroes don't wear capes: they wear dog tags.

📅 Race Day Schedule

• 5:30 AM: Onsite registration opens (ends 10 minutes before each race start).
• 6:30 AM: Brandon Michael Memorial 10K Ruck March START.
• 6:45 AM: Opening Ceremony.
• 7:00 AM: 10k START.
• 7:30 AM: 5K run & 5K Ruck March START.
• 09:00 AM: KIDS RACE START.
• 09:30 AM: AWARDS.
• 10:00 AM: 10K COURSE CUTOFF.
• Note: Course closes at noon.

🌟 Registration Information

• Online Registration: Remains open until race day.
• Shirt Guarantee: Race shirts are not guaranteed after May 5th, 2022.

📸 Memorial Boot Garden

• Participate: Send a picture and a blurb about a veteran or serviceman to race@salutethetroopswi.org by Friday, May 27 at noon.
• Information to Include: Branch of service, dates of service, and optional details.
• Display: Submissions will be printed and laminated for display in boots.
• Size: Please keep submissions to the size of an index card.

For more information and to register, please visit the event page: Salute the Troops Memorial Races.