Ruck the Ridge, 2023

"Ruck hikes" are long, weighted hikes intended to challenge the participant mentally and physically. They are the military's way of adding some adventure to a nice walk through the woods!  Our event combines the best features of ruck hiking, trail running, and adventure/obstacle course races.  Our unique RuckFest adds activities for the whole family such as food trucks, music, bounce houses, a petting zoo, and more. 

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.  By taking on this challenge you are providing support to local military families and standing in solidarity with those who offer their lives to serve something greater than themselves.  Check out the full Ruck the Ridge website.

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)

Multi-challenge event offering solo & team challenges including 4-, 6-, & 8-mile hiking routes on Blue Ridge School's AMAZING biking trails, with obstacles along the way.  The Ruck is limited to 180 participants - so register now to reserve your spot!

• Solo Ruck: Choose from the 4-, 6-, or 8-mi course; EARLY REGISTRATION discounted to $40 (includes parking, T-shirt & sticker)
• Team Ruck (4-6 people): Choose from the 4-, 6-, or 8-mi course; EARLY REGISTRATION discounted to $200 (includes parking, T-shirts & stickers for all team members)
• RuckFest: FREE Entry for ALL *some activities will have additional fee

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

SPECIAL RuckFest OFFERING - We are 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 several points on the course).  Customize your experience by choosing from three distance options, participate solo or as a team and choose how much weight to carry - 0, 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 a top 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
• "Rolling Thunder" (horizontal tire obstacle)
• Horizontal traverse wall
• Tire flip (Solo Ruck only)
• High wall (Team Ruck only)
• Stretcher carry (Team Ruck only)

*** Route maps are available for download from the registration form!

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
• 11:30am - last Ruck start time
• 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 links at the top or bottom of this page
• Attend RuckFest with your family & friends
• Become a Sponsor (click here to check out sponsorship opportunities)
• Grab a booth at the RuckFest Expo (included with all sponsorships - nonprofit organizations are invited to participate in the Expo at no cost, see the sponsorship page for details)
• Volunteer to help make the magic happen (please use the registration links at the top or bottom of this page and choose the volunteer "ticket" - we'll be in touch about how you'd like to help out)
• Tell your family and friends

For additional information, please contact livingfree2gether@gmail.com

All proceeds will go to Living Free Together programs for military families

    click here to register online  

Big Thanks to our Sponsors & Donors!