Joel Gentz 5k 2025!
- Date Sat 26th April 2025
- Time 9:30AM EDT
- Location West Lafayette, Indiana
- Price Free
- Races 1 race
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Join us for the annual Joel Gentz 5K on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in West Lafayette, Tippecanoe, at the beautiful Purdue University campus! This inspiring event honors the brave service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, particularly Captain Joel Gentz, a distinguished Purdue graduate and U.S. Air Force officer. Participants will enjoy a spirited 5K race, with all proceeds benefiting the Joel Gentz Memorial Scholarship, awarded to an outstanding Air Force ROTC student each year.
Race day registration and packet pick-up will be available, and we are happy to accept cash, card, or checks. Everyone who donates $25 or more will receive a special T-shirt upon check-in. Awards will be given for the top three male and female finishers, and all participants can look forward to free food and water post-race. Whether you're a seasoned runner or looking to support a great cause, the Joel Gentz 5K promises a day of community, remembrance, and fun! Don't miss out on this impactful event!
Race day registration and packet pick-up will be available, and we are happy to accept cash, card, or checks. Everyone who donates $25 or more will receive a special T-shirt upon check-in. Awards will be given for the top three male and female finishers, and all participants can look forward to free food and water post-race. Whether you're a seasoned runner or looking to support a great cause, the Joel Gentz 5K promises a day of community, remembrance, and fun! Don't miss out on this impactful event!
Organiser's Description
The Joel Gentz 5k is a race at Purdue University in honor of the service men and women that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
Captain Joel Gentz graduated with honors from Purdue in 2007 with a degree in Aeronautical engineering. He was a member of Air Force ROTC as well as Arnold Air Society, The Order of Iron Key, Old Masters, and the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. While attending Purdue he met his wife, Kathryn.
After graduation, Gentz commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was selected to become a Combat Rescue Officer, the first to ever be selected out of college. After completing Pararescue training, one of the most rigorous training pipelines in the military, he was assigned to the 58th Rescue Squadron, located at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He then deployed to Afghanistan. He performed over 50 hours of combat time. On June 9, 2010, Gentz was killed in action when his helicopter crashed during a rescue mission near Forward Operating Base Jackson.
* ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO BENEFIT THE JOEL GENTZ MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, AN ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO CURRENT AIR FORCE ROTC STUDENT THAT BEST EMBODIES JOELS SPIRIT
* REGISTRATION AND PACKET PICK UP AVAILABLE RACE DAY (ACCEPTING CASH, CARD, OR CHECKS)
* DONATIONS OF $25 OR MORE INCLUDE A T-SHIRT UPON CHECK-IN TO THE RACE
* TOP FINISHES INCLUDE AWARD PACKAGES
* FEMALE AND MALE AWARDS (FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD)
* FREE FOOD AND WATER PROVIDED
* Any donations are graciously accepted.
Captain Joel Gentz graduated with honors from Purdue in 2007 with a degree in Aeronautical engineering. He was a member of Air Force ROTC as well as Arnold Air Society, The Order of Iron Key, Old Masters, and the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. While attending Purdue he met his wife, Kathryn.
After graduation, Gentz commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was selected to become a Combat Rescue Officer, the first to ever be selected out of college. After completing Pararescue training, one of the most rigorous training pipelines in the military, he was assigned to the 58th Rescue Squadron, located at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He then deployed to Afghanistan. He performed over 50 hours of combat time. On June 9, 2010, Gentz was killed in action when his helicopter crashed during a rescue mission near Forward Operating Base Jackson.
* ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO BENEFIT THE JOEL GENTZ MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, AN ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO CURRENT AIR FORCE ROTC STUDENT THAT BEST EMBODIES JOELS SPIRIT
* REGISTRATION AND PACKET PICK UP AVAILABLE RACE DAY (ACCEPTING CASH, CARD, OR CHECKS)
* DONATIONS OF $25 OR MORE INCLUDE A T-SHIRT UPON CHECK-IN TO THE RACE
* TOP FINISHES INCLUDE AWARD PACKAGES
* FEMALE AND MALE AWARDS (FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD)
* FREE FOOD AND WATER PROVIDED
* Any donations are graciously accepted.
Reviews
Done this event?
First-hand event reviews from people who have been there, done that and got the breathable T-shirt, really help everyone choose their next event.
Add a reviewJoel Gentz 5k 2025!