Ruck the Ridge, 2022

Rucks are long, weighted hikes intended to challenge the participant mentally and physically in order to maximize outcomes. The military's way of ruining a nice walk through the woods!

RUCK THE RIDGE is a great way to bring C'ville's veteran, active duty, first responder, and civilian communities together to build resilience & have a good time in honor of service and sacrifice.

RUCK THE RIDGE is being offered by Living Free Together, a local veteran support organization.  Through local and national partnerships, Living Free Together (LFT) has been offering lifegiving emotional support and community to military families in the Charlottesville area since 2015. All veterans and their family members of all branches of service are welcome and encouraged to join in on the fun year-round.  (Click here for more information about Living Free Together)

Dual challenge event offering solo & team challenges incorporating 4 & 8 mile hiking loops on Blue Ridge School's AMAZING biking trails.

• Solo Ruck: 8 mi course (twice around a 4 mi loop; once around for a shorter but still challenging event); $25 (includes parking, T-shirt & sticker)
• Team Ruck (4-6 people): 4 mi loop; $125 (includes parking, T-shirts & stickers for all team members)
• Ruck Fest: FREE Entry for ALL *some activities will have additional fee

Participants & spectators of all ages can enjoy the finish line festival, RUCK FEST, by visiting fun booths, enjoying our family friendly obstacle course experience & ordering yummy snacks from the food trucks.

NEW OFFERING - We are now offering a climb on the Blue Ridge School's 40-foot climbing tower as an additional event from noon until 2pm at RuckFest.  Choose it as an additional session in the registration process or sign-up on-site for $10 (cash is appreciated; digital payment on-site should be available).  

Bring your own sturdy backpack or we will provide one.  Wear sturdy shoes or boots.  Bring a water bottle (we will have water refill stations at the start/finish and at the midway point on the course).  Customize your experience by choosing from three weight levels to carry - 10 lbs, 20 lbs, or 30 lbs (all weights are provided).  *** We recommend that anyone who is not experienced with Ruck hiking be conservative in the weight they choose to carry.  Safety is our #1 priority.  There will be guides at each obstacle to provide coaching and assistance.  Feel free to skip or modify any obstacles that you are not comfortable with - remember, this is for fun!

Obstacles include:

• Army crawl
• Balance beam
• "Stairway to Heaven" (ladder)
• Low walls
• Tire flip (Solo Ruck only)
• High wall (Team Ruck only)
• Stretcher carry (Team Ruck only)

*** Click here for route maps

Timeline for the day:

• 8:30am - on-site check-in opens
• 9:30am - Opening Ceremony
• 9:40am - first Ruck start time
• 9:40am - 2:00pm - Ruck Fest activities
• noon - 2:00pm - Climbing Wall is open (registration in advance is recommended)

*** Please plan to arrive at check-in at least 30 mins prior to your assigned Ruck start time (start time selection is available in the registration process)

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?

• Sign up to Ruck solo or with a team using the link at the top of this page
• Attend Ruck Fest with your family & friends
• Become a Sponsor (click here to check out sponsorship opportunities)
• Grab a booth at the Ruck Fest Expo
• Volunteer to help make the magic happen
• Tell your family and friends

For additional information, please contact livingfree2gether@gmail.com

All proceeds will go to Living Free Together

Big Thanks to our Sponsors & Donors:

• Mimi McCracken, Nest Realty
• Champ Lawson Landscaping
• Donna Fore, Mutual of Omaha
• Towe Insurance Service, Inc
• Chick-Fil-A, Pantops
• Chick-Fil-A, Woodbridge
• Jason Beach, CRB Landscaping
• Catherine Benson, Forest Lodge Farm
• Lowe's Home Improvement, Charlottesville