Operation Obstacle Race to End Veteran Suicide Returns to Richland Community College Campus

Organizers say every day, at least 17 Veterans die by suicide. The event is to bring awareness to the issue.

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Operation Obstacle, the Race to End Veteran Suicide, is back this September at Richland Community College.

Organizers said every day, at least 17 veterans die by suicide. The event is meant to bring awareness to the issue. It is in coordination with the United States Department of Veteran's Affairs, Illiana Health Care, Suicide Prevention Team and Richland Community College.

The two-mile obstacle course is mostly flat and has 15 to 20 obstacles. Some of the obstacles include carrying and pulling objects a short distance, army net crawls, and climbing over, under and through obstacles. At the finish line, a fire truck will hose down participants. Finishers get a challenge coin and a goodie bag. All the money raised supports Richland Community College's Student Veteran's Resource Center.

The race takes place on Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace. Race t-shirts will feature the IPD symbol. The cutoff date to get a race t-shirt is Sept. 8.

If you want to participate, you must sign a waiver during registration.

Race check-in and the start and finish are in the Richland Fitness Center parking lot near the Workforce Development Institute. Organizers ask that you check in at 8:30 a.m., check-in ends at 9:30 a.m. to get your race bib, timing chip and goodie bag. The race will start after the National Anthem and the Honor Guard presentation of the flag at 10 a.m.

Organizers said there is plenty of parking near the race start, but do not park in the Fitness Center Parking lot.

There will be trophies for the top three male and female finishers. And, if you can't participate, you can donate. Click here to donate or register for the event.

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