Operation Obstacle 2025

Event: In Coordination with the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs Illiana Health Care, Suicide Prevention Team, Richland Community College presents the 5th Annual Operation Obstacle - The Race to End Veteran Suicide. Each day, 17 of our nation's Veterans die by suicide. Join us on 09/20/25 for a timed, 2-mile obstacle course race to raise awareness of Veteran suicide. The course is mostly flat and will have between 15-20 obstacles. A few of the obstacles involve carrying & pulling objects a short distance, army net crawls, and climbing over, under, and through obstacles. There will also be a Fire Truck hose down at the finish line. All participants get a finishers challenge coin and goodie bag. Proceeds will support Richland Community College's Student Veteran's Resource Center.

Non-Competitive Fun Run: This year, we'll also have a Non-Competitive Fun Run for participants who would like to jog or walk the course and skip some or all of the obstacles.

Registration: The race is on 09/20/25 and registration is online only through Race Roster and will be cut off at 9:30 am on race day. You must be 18 years of age to participate. Help us promote the race on social media and earn 5% on every registration fee for your referred registrants using your unique Race Roster link. More info on the promoter link is on the left sidebar.

T-shirts are available for $20 each during registration. Please select your size. The shirt cutoff date is 09/14/25.

Gift Registrations: You can purchase "gift" registrations — like sending a registration gift card! You can purchase a code and have it sent to someone else to allow that person to register for free! Click on the Gift Registrations tab on the left-hand side of this page.

Donations: Not able to participate? Please consider offering a donation using the links on the left side of this page. A sponsorship sign with your name or business name will be displayed at the event for sponsors donating $100 or more. You can also donate to help a participant or team reach their donation goals. Your donation is tax-deductible, and we appreciate your support for RCC's Veterans Resource Center.

Operation Obstacle observes International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”). Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace on September 21st.

OPERATION OBSTACLE WAIVER & ASSUMPTION OF RISK: You will be required to sign the online waiver during registration.

Check-In: The race check-in, start, and finish will be in the Richland Fitness Center parking lot, located at the north entrance of the Workforce Development Institute, near the old RCC Green House. Check-in starts at 8:30 am and ends at 9:30 am. You will receive your race bib, timing chip, and goodie bag. The race announcements, Honor Guard presentation of the flag, and national anthem will be at approximately 10 am, with the race starting after the national anthem. Participants will be started in corrals based on your anticipated time to finish the race.

Parking: There is plenty of parking near the race start. Please do not park in the Fitness Center Parking lot, where the event is being held. You can park in the parking lots to the west, across from the event.

Awards: There will be recognition and trophies for the top 3 Male & Female Finishers.