Operation Obstacle

Operation Obstacle 2026

Operation Obstacle 2026 is the sixth annual Operation Obstacle presented by Richland Community College in coordination with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care Suicide Prevention Team. The event, titled The Race to End Veteran Suicide, takes place at Richland Community College Fitness Center, College Park, Decatur, IL on September 19, 2026. Proceeds support Richland Community College's Student Veterans' Resource Center.

The event is a timed 2-mile obstacle course on a mostly flat route with an estimated 20 to 25 obstacles. Obstacles include short-distance carries and pulls, army net crawls, and climbing over, under, and through structures. A fire truck hose down is planned at the finish. All participants receive a finishers' challenge coin and a goodie bag. Participants are grouped into competitive, semi-competitive, and non-competitive corrals; the non-competitive corral accommodates jogging or walking participants who may skip some or all obstacles. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

Registration is online only through Race Roster and will close on race day. A signed online waiver is required during registration. T-shirts are available for purchase during registration for $20 with a shirt cutoff date of 09/13/26. Gift registration codes and volunteer opportunities are available, including volunteer shifts on the two course set-up days before the event. Parking is available near the Fitness Center parking lot; the check-in, start, and finish are at the Fitness Center parking lot at the north entrance of the Workforce Development Institute. Awards and trophies will be presented to the top three male and top three female finishers after the race. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.