10 DEKA STRONG
I remember the last conversation I had with my grandpa, Jeff Riley, it was about my first marathon. I was telling him about my training, and he laughed about how crazy I was for taking on such a challenge. At the time, it was just another conversation, one that made me determined to show him I could do it. Looking back, it's a conversation I now cherish because it pushed me to prove something to myself.
Jeff Riley was a Lieutenant for Toledo Fire and Rescue. He was a firefighter, paramedic, rescue diver, devoted father, and one of those rare people who made every room better just by being in it. In May 2025, Jeff lost his battle with cancer.
Jeff Riley was a Lieutenant for Toledo Fire and Rescue. He was a firefighter, paramedic, rescue diver, devoted father, and one of those rare people who made every room better just by being in it. In May 2025, Jeff lost his battle with cancer.
After my grandfather passed, and because of the life he lived, I found myself asking some important questions: Who am I? What kind of legacy do I want to leave behind? Those same questions inspired my dad, Chad Howman, to establish the Riles Cancer Foundation—to do what Jeff himself always did: showing up for others. It raises funds to support firefighters and their families as they face cancer — covering costs, easing burdens, and making sure these heroes know they are not fighting alone. I want to contribute to that legacy.
Now, a year and a half after his passing, I'm training to compete in DEKA STRONG— 10 standardized fitness zones that athletes finish in the fastest time possible. For the 2026 World Championship season, that is 82,500 - 120,000 athletes that will complete for the fastest times that can be compared with competitors around the world on the official DEKA global leaderboard.
Raising Awareness
Several athletes use DEKA Strong as an opportunity to raise proceeds for a local charity or cause. As I prepare for the competition, I want to compete with a purpose far greater than crossing a finish line. I want to raise awareness of the risks firefighters face every day—firefighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service — and in 2025, nearly 80% of IAFF member line-of-duty deaths were due to occupational cancer.
With your help, every zone I complete is a reminder of the values he lived by, and every dollar raised helps carry those values forward to support firefighters facing cancer. I'm inviting friends, family, and local businesses to sponsor one of the 10 DEKA STRONG zones or make a donation. Your support isn't just helping me compete—it's helping continue Jeff's legacy of faith, compassion, and selfless love through the work of the this foundation.
Thank you for believing in this cause and for helping turn every rep, every zone, and every step into something that makes a lasting difference.
1 John 5:4-5
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Below are the DEKA STRONG 10 standardized fitness zones designed to test total-body strength, endurance, power, and mental toughness. Each zone challenges a different aspect of fitness, requiring competitors to balance strength and cardio while maintaining focus and pushing through fatigue. The event measures an athlete’s ability to complete all 10 zones as efficiently as possible, creating a true test of functional fitness and determination.
Become a Strong Zone Sponsor
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Become a Hero Sponsor and have your hero honored on race day.
Become a Hero Sponsor and dedicate your support in honor of someone who has touched your life. Whether they are a cancer survivor, a loved one currently fighting, a caregiver, or someone whose memory continues to inspire you, their name will be featured on my DEKA STRONG shirt as a symbol of strength, courage, and hope.
As a Hero Sponsor, you will also receive a shirt featuring your chosen hero’s name listed on the back—a meaningful keepsake that represents your commitment to helping the Riles Cancer Foundation support those affected by cancer.
Together, we can celebrate the heroes who inspire us while raising funds to help others facing their cancer journey.