Powerful Life

Competing with a purpose

On a normal Sunday morning in June, Lake Cunningham might have a few kayaks or canoes dotting its waters, the shoreline populated with fisherman and its trails home to joggers and walkers. 

On the morning of June 7, the scene at the 390-acre lake in northeast Omaha was anything but your normal. Crowds gathered along the course while more than 2,000 athletes stepped up to the start line of the city’s first-ever Ironman 70.3.  

One of those competitors was OPPD’s Dustin Marvel, Government & Community Relations manager. Poised to compete not just for himself, but the young athletes he coaches and the community he serves. 

A longtime triathlete, Dustin had competed in shorter events for over 10 years, but tackling an Ironman-branded 70.3 remained a personal goal on his checklist. When the inaugural Omaha race was announced, it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. 

  “It wasn’t just another race,” he said. “It was a chance to show the young athletes I coach that big goals are possible. That if you commit, stay consistent and trust the process, you can do something you once thought was out of reach.” 

Consistency is key

Preparing for a 70.3-mile triathlon – a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run – requires months of early mornings, late nights and long blocks of training. In Marvel’s case, it also meant balancing coaching a competitive youth triathlon team, serving on the board of a nonprofit that empowers girls through triathlon and managing a full slate of community engagement work at OPPD. 

“Success didn’t come from one big breakthrough workout,” he said. “It came from showing up on days when motivation was nowhere to be found. It came from consistency.” 

It also came from the people around him. His wife, daughter, other family, friends, other coaches and the kids he mentors rallied behind him. They were the voices that kept reminding him big achievements aren’t the result of one person’s determination or mindset.  

“The race might be an individual effort,” Marvel said, “but the journey isn’t. I carried the encouragement of my family and athletes with me every step of the way.” 

The hardest moments

Ironman races are known for testing an athlete’s grit and Omaha’s was no exception. The swim in Lake Cunningham pushed Marvel mentally and physically, forcing him to stay calm when the water, the crowds and the pressure could become overwhelming. 

During tough moments, he thought of the same values he teaches his team: perseverance, resilience and belief. 

“I wanted to be the example I encourage them to be,” he said. “If I could keep going, they could too.” 

With each mile, thinking of his family cheering at the finish line, along with the young athletes who look to him for guidance, kept him moving forward. 

Building endurance, trust

The triathlon world has helped Marvel build deeper relationships in the community and that’s something he carries directly into his work at OPPD. 

 “Endurance sports open doors,” he explained. “You meet parents, business owners, community leaders, elected officials. People who care about health, wellness and youth development. It builds trust beyond work conversations.” 

 And he sees strong parallels between competing in a triathlon and OPPD’s mission. 

 “Both require preparation, resilience, long-term planning and teamwork. We don’t show up on race day, or a storm day, unprepared. We plan for months, sometimes years. Success in both comes from consistent effort and a commitment to something bigger than yourself.” 

Just get moving 

Marvel’s story isn’t about reaching elite levels of fitness – it’s about starting somewhere. 

“You don’t have to do an Ironman,” he said. “You just have to take the first step. A walk around the block. Playing catch with your kids. A 5K. Thirty minutes of movement. That first step matters.” 

As a coach, he’s seen confidence bloom in young athletes when they take on a challenge that can seem bigger than themselves. As an Ironman 70.3 finisher, that same spark propelled him along the way. 

“Growth happens when you trust the process and keep moving forward,” he said. “And the people cheering for you along the way make the journey even more meaningful than the finish line.”