Get Involved With Leon’s Today!
We are unwavering in our commitment to produce high-quality events that honors our nation’s military, veterans, first responders, and law enforcement officers. Producing these races in such a way that honors those who serve or who have served, always has been and always will be our top priority.
Volunteer With Us
Please contact Leon Wolek at leonstriathlon@aol.com or Megan Goodan at mgoodan@southshorecva.com with any questions or if you or your organization would like to volunteer.
Register to Race
We will have Leon’s Triathlon on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at Wolf Lake and Leon’s Heroes Obstacle Course Race on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at Indiana Dunes National Park. All apparel that you receive in connection to these races are proudly 100% American made. Sign up for one or both of our races!
Registration is now open. Opening ceremony starts at 7:30am and the event starts at 8:00am.
National Broadcast Documentary
We are honored to present to you the National Broadcast Documentary for 2021. Take some time to watch this broadcast, we think you will be blessed by it and glad that you watched it.
K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry
We are pleased to announce our partnership with the LLC K-9 Comfort Dogs. It is a national human-care ministry embracing the unique, calming nature and stills of purebred Golden Retrievers. They are doing amazing work with our military and veterans. Learn more by clicking their logos below.
Introducing Leon’s Heroes
Leon’s Heroes is an organization that is a new branch of Leon’s Triathlon. Leon’s Heroes aims to promote patriotism and honor the U.S. Military, Veterans, First Responders and Law Enforcement.
Leon’s Heroes are the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our nation and constitution. We aim to create a feel of patriotism anywhere we go.
Read More
The first Leon’s Triathlons were held in Leon’s hometown of Hobart IN, at the Isaac Walton, just off of I-65. The Wolek family attended many triathlons with Leon as a participant. While attending the events, they promoted Leon’s Triathlon. Leon’s Triathlon grew year after year until it outgrew the Isaac Walton. Fortunately, they were invited by Mayor Tom McDermott Sr. to host Leon’s Triathlon in Hammond at Wolf Lake to accommodate the continued growth. The family worked very closely with the Cities, Counties and State to set the standard in the sport.
Leon and his family noticed that all of the major events focused on the pros and not the amateurs. They thought the amateurs needed to be showcased, so they pioneered the First National Amateur Championship, which to this day continues in the sport. They also hosted one of the First Military Championships in the sport. Both were televised on ESPN worldwide and had Military flyovers after the singing of the National Anthem. Because of its completely closed course, the closing of a six lane freeway, and all three events starting and finishing at the same staging area, Leon’s Triathlon came to be known as the fastest triathlon in the world.
Because of economic development and political changes, there were some challenges that resulted in the racecourse logistics. The Wolek family felt it was time to retire the Leon’s Triathlon’s.
Throughout the next 15 years people wrote, called and emailed asking when Leon’s Triathlon would be back.
Leon finally decided to request a meeting with the current Mayor of Hammond, Tom McDermott Jr. Because of the support from his father, Mayor McDermott Sr., his son grew up knowing all about Leon’s Triathlon. Like his father he gave his support and after a 15 year hiatus, Leon’s is back.
In 2021 Leon added an obstacle course race to honor the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on our country. With the addition of the obstacle course race, we have rebranded the triathlon to include the sister obstacle course race, and we are moving forward as Leon’s Heroes.
While growing up Leon didn’t have Superman or Batman as a hero, it was his father and military buddies at the American Legion Post 454 in New Chicago, IN who inspired him. Leon’s Heroes are the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our nation and constitution. We aim to create a feel of patriotism anywhere we go.
While working on promoting the first annual obstacle course race, Leon befriended Vern at Chesterton Brewery, Veteran’s Brewing for Veteran’s, and Leon’s Heroes American IPA was born.
Hammer Nutrition Partnership
Leon’s is grateful for our partnership with Hammer Nutrition. This partnership goes back many, many years. Hammer Nutrition is an endurance sports nutrition company founded in 1987 by Brian Frank.
Hammer Nutrition provides unparalleled products, knowledge, and service to health conscious athletes all over the world. Over the years, the product line has grown from fuels & supplements to now include clothing, body care products, EMS units, accessories, and more.
Chesterton Brewery Partnership
We are so excited to announce our new collaboration with Chesterton Brewery. They have created a new American IPA that was released on Friday, September 10, 2021 in honor of our heroes.
United Steelworkers Partnership
We would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to our friends at United Steelworkers Local 6787. We are grateful for your support in our work.
Our Sponsors
Leon’s Triathlon 2021 Military Reunion Race
Leon’s Triathlon hosted the Military Triathlon National Championships in conjunction with its race from 1994-1996. The best triathletes from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps came to represent their service for individual and team honors. Special mention to the 1995 race which served as the qualifier for the inaugural Military World Games held in Rome, Italy to commemorate the 50th Anniversary ending World War II. The gathering was the largest event held outside of the Olympic Games and brought together over 4000 athletes from 93 countries competing in 17 different sports.
6 Foot Beer Can Coming Soon!
Help us celebrate the birth of our man-sized beer can! Look for it coming through your community soon. Stop and take a selfie with it. Have fun and help us promote Leon’s Heroes!
Attention Law Enforcement
Are you active or retired Law Enforcement? Come join us and compete against fellow sheepdogs!
The BlueLine wave will have its own start for those who choose to race in this group. The wave will have awards for top 3 Male and Female competitors as well as the top 3 Clyds and Athena for both sprint and Olympic distance races.
There will also be a team competition for Law Enforcement race teams. To be part of the Team Cup Challenge you must have a minimum of 5 (max of 10) sworn members active or retired to be eligible for the BlueLine Cup challenge. Top four times per team will be used. Team BlueLine will sponsor the BlueLine wave and Cup challenge.
This is a great opportunity-please join us!
Leon’s Triathlon and Dare2tri- a Partnership for Injured Veterans
Dare2tri is committed to providing resources and paratriathlon training services to injured service members and veterans with physical disabilities and visual impairments. Dare2tri’s goal is to empower injured service members and veterans through active participation in sport, recreation, competition, and the greater community.
Dare2tri is proud to partner with Leon’s Triathlon to offer an official Dare2tri Race2Raise Team. When you join Dare2tri Race2Raise you get to achieve your own health and wellness goals and support Dare2tri athletes, many of whom are injured military, in achieving their goals. Dare2tri transforms the lives of people with physical disabilities by helping them get active through the sport of triathlon.
Set a goal, challenge yourself and while doing so, you make a difference in the lives of injured veterans so they too can set and reach goals. Race alongside these amazing men and women and support one another on the journey to the finish line!
Get Involved
Get help, or make a difference!
Volunteer
Help make a difference in the life of a Veteran- volunteer for Leon’s Triathlon!
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