Salute the Troops
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Salute the Troops Memorial Races
Salute the Troops is a memorial race day at Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on May 23, 2026. The event includes multiple timed races, ruck marches, and wheelchair categories. The course uses paved city streets and recreational trails, follows the prairie trail through and around Lakeside Park, and is described as mostly flat with some small elevations. The route is wheelchair friendly; some events explicitly welcome strollers and well mannered dogs.
The event raises funds for Salute the Troops of Wisconsin and NAMI. Proceeds remain local and are used to support Wisconsin veterans and suicide prevention efforts. Day of registration plus all kids activities and games are located on Oven Island. Organizers set up a Memorial Boot Garden with printed and laminated photos and brief blurbs about veterans and service members.
Ruck participants are asked to bring their own rucksack with no more than 20 pounds. Parents may participate with younger children in the kids fun run. A range of event formats is offered, including wheelchair divisions to accommodate hand cycles and racing chairs.
Event distances include: Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
- 10K run
- 5K run and walk
- Kids 0.5 mile fun run for children 12 and under
- 10K ruck march
- 5K ruck march
- Wheelchair categories for 10K and 5K including hand cycle and racing chairs
