05/31/2026
Richland Community College Fitness Center to Host Events Supporting Local Veterans throughout September
Decatur, IL – In September, the Fitness Center at Richland Community College will be hosting two events to raise money to support local veterans during Veterans Su***de Prevention Month.
On Saturday, August 29, the College is hosting Cars & Coffee. From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., all makes and models of cars are welcome to participate (with no entry fee) in this car show. The event will be held in Richland’s Workforce Development Institute’s north parking lot. There will be free doughnuts and coffee available, as well as an open house for the College’s automotive program. Donations are greatly encouraged and appreciated.
The main event will be the 6th Annual Operation Obstacle: The Race to End Veteran Su***de, which will be held on Saturday, September 19, at Richland’s Workforce Development Institute. This timed, two-mile obstacle course race is held in coordination with the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs Su***de Prevention Team and Richland Community College.
Registration for this event is open to the public. Racers can either pre-register online or sign up on the day of the race from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Before the race, there will be a veteran’s honorary ceremony at 10 a.m. - including the presentation of the flag and 13 folds, the national anthem, and opening remarks from the VA Illiana Su***de Prevention Team. The race will begin around 10:15 a.m.
After completing 20-25 fun physical obstacles, each finisher will receive an honorary challenge medal, goodie bags, snacks, and water. Special awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers. Event t-shirts are available in the registration process.
Anyone interested in simply going through obstacles without the pressure to compete can register for the non-competitive fun run. Additionally, racers can earn 5% on every registration fee for referred registrants by promoting the event on social media with their own link provided on the registration website.
Volunteers are also welcome and needed. Please register to volunteer on the registration page.
Register - https://raceroster.com/events/2026/118149/operation-obstacle-2026
Proceeds from both events support Richland’s Veterans Resource Center (VRC). It was opened in 2019 to provide free resources and services to veterans - helping them overcome financial obstacles to education. The VRC is also a comfortable space for veteran students to study, receive tutoring, relax, communicate, and collaborate.
WHAT: Cars & Coffee
WHERE: Workforce Development Institute, Richland Community College
(1 College Park, Decatur, IL 62521) (located to the right of the intersection of E Reas Bridge Road and College Park)
WHEN: Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
WHAT: Operation Obstacle: The Race to End Veteran Su***de
WHERE: Workforce Development Institute, Richland Community College
(1 College Park, Decatur, IL 62521) (located to the right of the intersection of E Reas Bridge Road and College Park)
WHEN: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Check-in from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Ceremony at 10 a.m. | Race begins at 10:15 a.m.
Contact: Scott Broyles, RCC, Fitness Center Director, & Operation Obstacle Race Director. 217-875-7211 ext. 6290 or email: [email protected].
About Richland Community College
Richland Community College has proudly and successfully served the citizens of District 537 through a strong mix of workforce, technical, and transfer education for the past 54 years. Our dedicated staff provides diverse and meaningful support services to make every student’s experience both personal and rewarding. (www.richland.edu)
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