Heroes In Transition’s (HIT) Ruck4HIT relay race is returning for a sixth straight year as part of a hybrid model that will allow people to participate either virtually or in-person.
“We’re excited to bring back an in-person component to this year’s Ruck4HIT while still offering anyone, anywhere, the opportunity to take part in this event and give back to our country’s heroes,” said HIT Executive Director Nicole Spencer. “Every Ruck4HIT is a reminder that there are those who serve and have served our country who are coping with the physical, mental, and emotional scars of military service. We ruck to honor them and to raise funds to ensure there are programs that enable our local service members, veterans, and military families to overcome these challenges.”
Anyone interested in participating in this year’s Not Your Ordinary Ruck4HIT Challenge Weekend, either as an individual or with a team, can register below or by emailing ruck4hit@gmail.com.
Funds raised from the event go to support Heroes In Transition’s programs which includes an equine therapy program for veterans and military families; a Fall Couples Retreat; a Canine Co-Pilot Program which pairs up service dogs with veterans, based on need; a Reboot Program for female service members, veterans, and spouses; financial assistance for veterans in need; and bimonthly outings for veterans, military families, military spouses, and military couples.
The event will kick off at 6 am on Friday, April 30 and conclude at noon on Sunday, May 2, with participants choosing how they want to get involved in the race.
Over the course of the weekend, a base camp will be set up at Heritage Park on Main Street in Mashpee, where teams will be stationed for those who want to safely experience the camaraderie and competitiveness of the typical Ruck4HIT relay race.
Individuals and teams can also opt to participate in this year’s Ruck4HIT virtually by walking, bicycling, running, swimming, rollerblading, kayaking, hiking, Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP), golfing or any other activity that tests themselves physically. During last fall’s Ruck4HIT, people from throughout the country, including Central Massachusetts, Alaska, Minnesota, New York, and Florida, joined Cape Codders in designing physical challenges that epitomized the spirit of the event.
If possible, participants are encouraged to wear a rucksack during this year’s Ruck4HIT. The rucksack symbolizes the burdens that active duty military and veterans carry with them in service to our country.
Combined, last year’s Ruck4HIT participants logged over 3,300 miles to support Heroes In Transition’s work.
“Our goal is to surpass that total,” said Ruck4HIT Co-organizer Steve Spencer. “The great thing about this year’s race is people can choose to get involved however they want and wherever they are. No matter how you participate, it makes a difference in the lives of veterans and military families who need and deserve our help.”
Started in 2016, 12 runners and four support personnel participated in the first iteration which began at Ground Zero in New York City and concluded in Falmouth, 41 hours later.
The race expanded in 2017 with 12 teams taking part in the race which started in Bourne and ended in Mashpee. Since then, the race has taken place on Cape Cod, attracting participants from throughout the United States. Due to the pandemic, the race was postponed and held virtually at the end of September last year.
As a HIT Community Partner, Cape Cod Retractable Awning is serving as a sponsor for this year’s Ruck4HIT. Businesses interested in becoming a Ruck4HIT sponsor should contact Jill Blanchard at marketing@heroesintransition.org.
