Champions Crowned at Sixth Annual 2026 USA Triathlon Military & First Responders National Championships in Indiana

HAMMOND, Ind. - Multisport competitors representing branches of the U.S. military and various divisions of police, EMS and fire response raced in the sixth annual 2026 USA Triathlon Military & First Responders National Championships on June 7 as part of Leon's Triathlon.  

Coined “America’s Race,” Leon’s Triathlon has a long legacy of honoring and empowering U.S. service men and women, especially injured military veterans. Leon’s Triathlon, located 30 minutes outside of Chicago, partners with a variety of local, state and national initiatives and organizations throughout the year to recognize and give back to military and first responders, building a spirit of community to give back to those who serve.  

Athletes raced in the Sprint Distance triathlon (500-meter swim, 11.6-mile bike, 5-kilometer run) or the Olympic Distance triathlon (1,500m swim, 23.2-mile bike, 10k run) and earned national titles in categories including Military-Active Duty, Military-Retired, EMS, and Fire.  

In the Sprint Distance Triathlon National Championship, Noah Kappen (Lebanon, Ohio) placed first in a time of 58 minutes and 41 seconds, taking the championship title for the Fire category. Don Cain (Westerville, Ohio) placed second in a time of 1:05:06, followed by Richard Hendry (Parker, Colo.) in a time of 1:06:28. Cain and Hendry placed first and second, respectively, in the Military Retired category. 

Natasha Gerwing (Becker, Minn.) placed first overall in the women’s championship in a time of 1:34:23, also placing first in the Military Active Duty category. Kimee Armour (Auburn, Ill.) placed second in a time of 1:55:37, while also placing first in the Military Retired category. 

In the Olympic Distance Triathlon National Championships, Kurt Jacobs (Lake Bluff, Ill.) placed first in 2:38:24, followed by Karl Repay (Hammond, Ind.) in a time of 2:42:41. David Bloch (Kouts, Ind.) placed third in a time of 2:43:12. Jacobs also placed first in the Military Retired category, Repay placed first in the Fire category, and Bloch placed first overall in the Police category. 

Alexandra Michel (Gurnee, Ill.) placed first in the women’s championship in a time of 3:01:24, also placing first in the Military Retired category. 

Additionally, Leon’s Triathlon collaborated with USA Paratriathlon for a Paratriathlon Nationals Qualifier Series race, highlighting a shared commitment to inclusivity and excellence in sport, offering paratriathletes the opportunity to showcase their incredible talent and determination on a national stage.  

Para athletes and veterans can find more information on the Paratriathlon Nationals Qualifier Series here.