>> In this stark and spectacular place, athletes push themselves to their absolute limits, encountering obstacles almost insurmountable in conditions nearly unbearable, but their spirits will not be broken and their mission will be accomplished.

To honor those who serve, (soldiers shout Hoorah) commemorate those we lost 21 years ago today, and celebrate our resilience and strength together.

(cheering) Welcome to Leon's Heroes Obstacle Course Race.

There is no place quite like it and there is no race quite like it.

Just southeast of Chicago, at spectacular Indiana Dunes National Park.

It's Leon's Heroes Obstacle course Race.

How you doing everybody?

I'm Tim Morris.

Welcome to Leon's Heroes Obstacle Course Race.

21 years to the day since 9-11 and we gather to celebrate the memories and courage of those we lost with an extraordinary race at an extraordinary place.

The participants are beginning to assemble at Race Central today, of course, September 11th, the 21 year anniversary of 9-11 as old glory flies proudly above a powerful symbol of what this day is all about.

Just one among literally thousands of flags covering this park today.

It's perhaps the most patriotic race site in the country.

Inspired entirely by Leon's Heroes founder and namesake, Leon Wolek.

>> It's much more than a sporting event.

It's a call to action on September 11th.

Let us never forget all the pain, the suffering that went on across this country and the courage and the determination to never give up.

>> Tim: Like all Leon's events, a huge military contingent on hand here today.

>> Group: Go Army!

>> Tim: Along with police, firefighters, first responders of all kinds, and they brought along some impressive equipment, a chance for the kids and families to learn what service is all about, along with a little military history.

So much here to see and do and everyone here sharing Leon's passion and commitment to recognizing the service and sacrifices made by America's heroes.

>> It's a great way to honor, you know, everything that happened from 9-11, the sacrifices made by so many.

You know, personally and professionally, I think this is a very important thing for us all to be a part of.

>> Tim: The racers are gathering for today's opening ceremony where all eyes turn skyward for the Sheriff's Department Huey Helicopter fly by.

(helicopter chopping) And an esteemed series of speakers share inspiring messages followed by an inspired performance of our national anthem by the newly crowned Miss Indiana, Elizabeth Hallal.

♪ And the home of the brave ♪ (cheering) (clapping) >> Tim: The anthem always taking on special significance on this day.

The race course here is a 5K loop.

There are 10 obstacles on that loop.

Participants can choose from five or 10K distances, which means one or two loops.

The elite racers will go the full 10K distance.

It is a course fraught with challenges.

The first, perhaps the most daunting, the hill climb.

A couple hundred feet up this giant dune, a grueling test, the 1K mark, a series of obstacles.

A wall climb over, these orange barriers, carry a barrel under these horizontal poles, followed by 10 burpees near the edge of the park.

They turn back toward the beach only to face what seems like a never-ending series of hay bales, followed by the tire obstacle, a long stretch of side by side tires.

Next, perhaps the most meaningful obstacle.

Hundreds of steps ascending the dune, signifying the climb those many first responders courageously took up the stairs of the twin towers.

They descend the other side of the dune to the beach to water carry, fill, carry, then dumped the buckets over to the Jeep crawl.

On their bellies under these cables, reminiscent of the harrowing journey American soldiers faced on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.

Into the home stretch and the finish line or for the 10K athletes, just the beginning of lap number two.

The racers are gathering near the start.

A big group here today of all ages and athletic abilities from elite racers to families with kids to active duty military, everybody here just to enjoy this unique race experience.

How excited are you about this?

>> We're excited, looking at that hill though.

We don't-- No, no, we're excited.

It'll be a good time out here.

It's getting wet, obviously.

>> Army Strong, right?

>> Army strong always.

>> It's a special day too, 9-11 remembrance.

Is that, are you mindful of those things today as you, as you embark on this?

>> Yeah, absolutely.

You know, every step is a step that someone couldn't take.

>> Have you seen the hill out there?

That sandhill?

>> Yeah, it's pretty big.

>> What do you think of that?

>> It looks pretty tough, but I think I can do it.

>> Tim: Okay, the group assembling at the start line beneath these stars and stripes, a group of young soldiers in the front row, and it is go time.

>> Announcer: All right, we ready?

>> Group: Yes sir!

>> Announcer: On your marks, get set, go!

(horn blowing) (shouting) >> Tim: They are off, the young military boys not surprisingly speeding to the front.

As they all head into the park, they'll go from pavement to gravel.

It's a few hundred meters until they hit the sand.

Most of the field's gonna do one lap.

That's the 5K group.

The elite athletes will do 10K.

That's two laps.

The field already starting to string out on this narrow path as they head toward that first daunting obstacle, the hill climb.

And that's Cody Lotz in the lead, the shirtless guy we just spoke to before the race.

Just behind him, Johannes Oland with his dog, Boston, right there.

But some of these military kids in great shape, many fresh out of bootcamp, right on their heels.

And on the far left, that's Jason Bader making a big charge.

He takes the lead.

You could see how deep and difficult this sand is but Bader will be first to the top of the hill.

A bunch of elite athletes just behind him but also lots of regular guys, each with their own unique story to tell like John Barajas Jr. >> Welcome to the Schererville Home Depot, store 1937.

I'm John and I am a pro delivery driver.

I love this place.

Ain't no better place than Home Depot for our veterans.

You need a job, come to Home Depot.

>> Tim: John Barajas is an associate at the Home Depot just down the road and he is one of their best.

But it was a long journey getting here, a journey that started on 9-11.

>> Boom, we, we watched the, the planes hit the towers and we were just floored.

July 25th, I joined the Navy.

I knew I was going.

There wasn't any doubt in my mind.

>> Tim: He had an esteemed 11 year Navy career that included a college education and life lessons foundational to the man he is today.

>> My music teacher had instilled in me, it was a phrase, it was positive attitude, superior effort.

So I'd carry that with me in into the Navy and into the Navy, we had honor, courage, and commitment.

So, I brought that in with me and now, I get to Home Depot.

I took all those lessons I learned from back then and I use 'em now.

>> It's just the PO.

>> The PO.

(light music) I want to go outta my way to give you the best service.

Why?

Because you deserve it.

I'm gonna take you to go see our Homer's Heroes.

That's what we call our veterans board.

>> Tim: He proudly took on the task of creating a military appreciation board in the store's employee lounge, identifying all the associates that are veterans.

>> So, I took all our veterans, put 'em in order of rank, lined them up.

Now we got our stars.

We call 'em Homer's Heroes.

Every veteran who works in this store is on this board.

Some of 'em are spouse, some of 'em are children, some of them have passed on.

But we don't forget.

There's John Barajas Jr. United States Navy Aviation machinists made second class, that's me.

They come up to us all the time and say, "Thank you for your service.

Thank you for standing that watch while I slept and protecting me."

>> Tim: When he heard about this race, he felt he had to be here to take on this unique challenge and to do it surrounded by other veterans together.

>> So that's a brotherhood, a sisterhood that is unshakable.

Everyone has a story.

Everyone has something to tell and not a lot of people listen and that's the problem.

But when you actually sit down and listen, you learn something new.

Take Leon for example, I asked him if he knew what the first ship was that was deployed on 9-11 and I turned my head around and he just goes, "Whoa!"

And that's what I love about this.

I love the camaraderie that he brings to this.

This is such an amazing event and I just wish more people knew about it.

>> Tim: That is one special guy.

Meanwhile, our leaders emerge from the woods.

That's Artie Aguija over the walls in third place, just behind our leader, Johannes Oland, with his dog Boston, finishing their burpees.

>> This way?

To the right?

>> Yep, yep, yep.

>> Tim: They are off.

But five guys right behind them into their burpees trying to make up ground while Johannes and Boston are on to the next obstacle.

The long series of hay bales never seems to end set at uneven intervals, which makes them even more difficult.

Johannes and Boston negotiating them well, but can they hold on?

With a big group of athletes right on their tail.

And I do mean that literally.

Stay with us.

(intense music) Today's event is brought to you by Walmart, Sam's Club, Jeep, Ram, Home Depot, BP, Versa Climber, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau, Kuraray, the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, Invets, Helmets to Hardhats, the Indiana Army National Guard, Chesterton Brewery, Cleveland Cliffs, Weirs Club Car, the National Park Service, and the Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival.

Welcome back to Leon's Heroes Obstacle Course Race.

Our eye in the sky, zooming down on our leader, or should I say leaders, Johannes Oland and his incredible dog, Boston.

Now into the tire obstacle.

A long series of tires takes real focus here and concentration to avoid any missteps, especially with tired legs.

Johannes not missing a beat though and Boston getting a little break trotting alongside as they begin to extend their lead on the pack.

Earlier this week, a big group of Leon's sponsors and friends gathered for a wonderful party in support of the cause, the setting spectacular.

The patio of the park pavilion overlooking Lake Michigan, and at sunset, a stirring rendition of the anthem.

♪ At the twilight's last gleaming ♪ >> Tim: This, a group of passionate people, all 100% supportive of Leon and his mission.

>> Locally, it's just we've seen so many of our kids and our family, our uncles, serve and we're a very service minded community.

The way we work and the way we look at military.

So it's just always been very important to us to honor these people and show our respect.

>> The work that Leon's doing to celebrate and honor the veterans and first responders and what they do.

We all need to recognize folks when we can for taking that leap.

>> We won't forget those of us that, that wear the uniform and we appreciate the support from the community and helping remind us that they won't forget about us just the same.

>> Yeah, I'll be honest, I'm blown away.

I had met Leon a few times at some other golf outings and with the support of the veterans, they already, you know, fully promote, perfectly aligns with what BP's trying to do.

So I think it's a great win-win for both sides.

>> Tim: Leon, honoring not only human heroes today, but canine heroes.

A big group of police service dogs got in a good run.

>> Announcer: Set, go!

(intense music) (clapping) >> Tim: These canines play a critical role in local law enforcement and for the military.

They're highly trained to find narcotics, find bombs, in man tracking, generally protecting soldiers, officers, and the citizens in every community.

>> These dogs, in my opinion, are worth probably 12 officers for that one man that has that one dog.

There's a lot of things that the human officer cannot find quick enough that the dog can find within a matter of seconds.

>> Military dogs are actually clearing the path for our troops and they're checking for the bombs and saying, okay, come on, it's clear.

There's a lot of trust that is put into these dogs on a daily basis, whether they're working in the streets or whether they're working overseas.

>> Tim: And Leon is honored to welcome one incredibly special K9 hero.

Jimmy saw a combat duty in Afghanistan and suffered severe combat trauma, PTSD that affects him to this day.

>> There's still some small issues, but we continue to work with him day in and day out and he's phenomenal man.

He's an excellent working dog.

Him and all the dogs like him, man, they sacrifice so much to keep our soldiers protected overseas and to keep our officers protected here stateside.

>> Tim: What a great story.

The story out in the course remains to be Johannes and Boston at the fire hose carry, toting a heavy bundle of fire hose on a short loop.

This whole section of the course honoring those 343 brave firefighters who perished on 9-11.

This staircase reminiscent of that fateful climb.

(patriotic music) Johannes and Boston begin their climb up the stairway to the sky, hundreds of steps up and up this steep dune, flags lining the entire journey.

All the obstacles here intended by our race founder to honor America's fighting heroes, both present and past.

>> Making sure that our history is never ever forgotten in this unique landscape, here off the shores of Lake Michigan, the beach D-Day, the stairs, twin towers, the sand dunes, the Middle East, the forest, Vietnam.

It's a journey and it's so important that we capture that.

So when you're out there encountering the obstacles, we want everyone to slow it down and pause and realize it's not just an obstacle.

(intense music) It's a moment of education.

And we want a humbly and in a very simple way, make sure that that message is never forgotten.

>> Tim: Leon so dedicated to honoring those who serve.

Arty Aguija in his patriotic flag shorts among the leaders trying to catch Johannes.

Army crawl up and back in the chilly Lake Michigan waters and just up the beach, Johannes and Boston doing the water carry.

They have to fill a bucket, circle that lifeguard chair, then dump it back in the lake.

From there, back up the hill to the last obstacle on the beach, the Jeep crawl.

Down to the ground, under those heavy cables between the Jeeps.

Jeep, of course, an iconic American brand.

These beauties, courtesy of Grieger Motors and the Northwest Indiana Jeep Club.

Johannes and Boston are through the gauntlet, heading up and off the beach, looking strong as they near the finish of lap number one.

(intense music) Each year, an extraordinary event takes place at Wolf Lake Park in Hammond, Indiana.

Hundreds of amateur athletes gather at the most patriotic race site in the nation for Leon's Triathlon, America's race.

Yes, it's a sporting event, but it's so much more.

A memorial, a tribute and perhaps most importantly, a call to action to honor and support our military, first responders and our veterans who've sacrificed so much in service to our country.

♪ The land of the free ♪ ♪ And the home of the brave ♪ >> When you look at the American flag and you totally grasp the beauty and the sacrifices, that's why the venue, we're continuing to go and take it to the next level, the next level, more flags, more patriotism, more effort, more energy.

You can't do enough.

>> Tim: The event is filled with like-minded individuals and organizations all embracing Leon's mission.

>> This is the corner of the rack and there's the bike, need more space.

>> Oh, that's, okay.

>> Tim: Organizations like Dare to Try, helping vets and others with disabilities heal through the sport of triathlon.

>> Our whole goal is to make people comfortable, push them out of their comfort zone a little bit.

Provide them with the equipment, provide them with the human support, the guides, you know, that they may need and really kind of light that fire in them.

Show them what is possible.

>> As you're coming toward the finish line, you're tired, you know, you on your 5k, the last part of it and then you get another shot of adrenaline.

Man, all the people clapping at the finish line.

Come on through man.

It's like accomplishment.

I'm done.

I made it!

All right, how's my hair look?

>> You look perfect!

>> Your hair looks great.

>> Beautiful as usual!

>> We like to say that the finish line, for a lot of our athletes, is truly just the beginning.

I think it truly opens pathways for what else they can do in their own lives.

>> We've had athletes that have said that triathlon has saved their life.

They were depressed, that they were locked in their house, that they didn't know how they were gonna go on living after their disability.

>> Tim: Like Heather Sealover, a devastating injury put her in a chair just over a year ago.

>> I went to the military camp a very challenged human being.

Very frustrated.

Wasn't a huge fan of even really interacting in the world.

>> Tim: She had been super active, a competitive marathoner when her world came to a grinding halt and then she found Dare to Try and Leon's triathlon.

>> It went from a very negative, I can't do anything to there's a lot I can do.

And the doors just kind of started opening and they've continued to do that since.

>> Interviewer: How much of that has to do with Dare to Try?

>> All of it.

(cheering) >> Spectator: Way to go, way to go, way to go!

>> Nice job, Roosevelt!

>> Tim: The race site is filled with powerful reminders of the sacrifices our veterans have made, like Indiana Fallen Heroes created by a gold star family.

>> We wanted to put a face with the name.

It has overwhelmed us, the families, the general public.

This is our healing.

This is us.

You know, when one of these is your blood, it's a lot different.

>> Tim: Each year, the entire community of Hammond rallies in support of this event.

The teamsters and Union labor help build the race site and lots of help from huge corporate partners, all sharing Leon's commitment to our veterans.

>> We partner with the VFW, the American Legion organizations like Leon's Triathlon, and anything that we can do to help out and make it easier for our veterans today, that's our goal.

That's our mission.

>> Tim: It's an event with a clear purpose and a valiant mission.

Continually striven for yet never fully accomplished.

>> 22 soldiers a day that kill themselves from various types of, did I get left behind?

Did I get forgotten?

Why did this happen to me?

This place embodies that.

We have not forgot you.

You still here and we know you're here.

We gonna show you that we know you're here.

>> And I think that's what we're trying to do in a soft spoken, humble way.

Never take anything for granted, honor and respect, and we can never do enough and then ultimately never forget.

(triumphant music) >> Tim: And next year, Leon's Triathlon will officially be the Industrial Athlete Championship.

Leon's is partnering with Helmets to Hardhats and the North American building trades, honoring them for their efforts in defending America and building America.

To register, visit leonstriathlon.com.

Back to the obstacle course race, Johannes Oland and his dog Boston begin lap two.

And that means the hill climb.

With legs burning much harder the second time around, but they continue to power through, showing no signs of weakness.

(patriotic music) Coming up.

>> Spectator: Nice job, bud, come on, you got it.

>> The skies open up, >> Tim: a downpour.

Athletes pushed to their absolute limits, but can they catch this man and his incredible dog?

The race to the finish after a break.

(patriotic music) Welcome back to Leon's Heroes Obstacle Course Race.

Army veteran, Johannes Oland and his dog Boston, ascending the staircase to the sky.

Now on his second lap, he's opened up a commanding lead on the field trying to hang on with about two kilometers to go to the finish.

It takes an army to set up an event like this.

And the teamsters are Leon's army, along with Helmets to Hardhats, and so many generous volunteers and corporate partners like Home Depot pitching in to build this entire event from the ground up.

The entire Northwest Indiana community has embraced Leon's events for decades, including the Indiana Dunes National Park, a fantastic partner.

And this race, just part of the annual Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival here this weekend.

One of over 70 outdoor events at this amazing place.

>> If you want to hike, if you wanna bike, if you want to kayak, if you want bird watch, anything you could imagine that you can do here in the National Park, we have a scheduled program that you can safely, with some professional guidance experience, this may be something new.

>> I mean, just look what's behind me here.

The shorelines of Lake Michigan, the historical downtowns that we have in Northwest Indiana.

The great sports facilities, the great high end dining hotels.

And then when you experience Northwest Indiana, you probably wanna stake your flag here, raise your family here and be part of the team that's really showcasing our region.

>> Tim: Incredible that this amazing place is just 45 minutes from downtown Chicago and our leader, Johannes Oland, arrives at the final obstacle after almost 10 grueling kilometers.

Everybody does two minutes on the Versa Climber.

There's not a doggy versa climb.

But if there was, Boston would definitely not be having a problem.

Back behind them at the beach, the rain coming down in sheets now.

That's 13 year old Cassandra Karazinski.

And if you can believe that she's in fourth place, just killing it.

Lugging that heavy bucket.

This kid is some athlete.

Everyone, of course, is welcome here.

This event open to all.

The 5k, definitely a manageable distance.

This the second year of this race, bigger field this year.

Love to see you out here next year as long as you don't mind getting a little dirty and a little wet.

But I guarantee you none of it is bothering this guy.

31 year old Johans Oland off the Versa Climber and into the home stretch.

Boston alongside, looking as strong as he did at the start.

No one could touch these two today.

Johannes Oland, Army veteran, went to West Point, gets a rousing welcome at the finish line and he deserves it.

The 2022 Leon's Heroes Obstacle course champion.

(intense music) >> It was a lot of fun, especially doing it with my dog.

You know, it's a lot of challenging obstacles, but I'm just power through and feels good to just unleash and go fast.

>> Talk about running with the dog.

Is this something you do all the time?

I mean, that dog is incredibly fit.

>> He can run and run like a lot, like 20 miles a day.

>> If you let him off the leash, he would beat you, wouldn't he?

>> Yeah, he can run like 35 miles an hour.

It's pretty quick.

(laughing) >> Tim: And there's the Women's 10K winner, Margaret Sham.

Great performance today, along with everybody who stuck it out, overcame those obstacles in very difficult conditions, worthy of a heroes welcome.

And all of them mindful of why we are here today on 9-11.

>> This was absolutely fun.

It was, it's totally worth the pain.

Honestly, it was just so inspiring to see the J Rock Marines right there, putting their hands out, you know, pushing me forward and that, it was just this euphoric moment.

>> Our veterans, our first responders and our civilian people, all you know, help this country.

And it is an honor to race in this, in this event.

>> Thank you so much.

>> Tim: As is Leon's finish line tradition, he thanks everyone for being here today and also honoring those who can't be with us, most poignantly, with this remembrance table, a military tradition.

The empty setting, signifying those we've lost.

>> We never think enough about all those who have sacrificed and given that ultimate sacrifice and done so much for our country.

Think of that.

Thank those in the uniform who have served and are serving because they're the ones that are putting their lives on the line like we did every single day.

And we never say thank you enough.

>> America.

How special is that?

And to know that we're Americans and never take that for granted.

So I just feel that whatever we do, we wanna make sure that upcoming generations realize we live in the greatest country on the planet Earth.

>> Tim: To register for next year's race or Leon's Triathlon, please visit leonstriathlon.com.

(intense music)