WHAT TO EXPECT

 

Pack Weighing and Ruck-Pack Access Guidelines

• If you're in a competitive ruck division (all except honorary), visit the weighing station in the staging area. Packs & Vests must be weighed before the event starts.
• Ensure that any items used for weight in your pack are not needed during the event. To keep things fair, packs will be zip-tied shut. Bring any needed items in a separate bag.
• During the race, you won't be able to access items inside your ruck-pack.
• Competitive marchers can wear a vest, backpack, or rucksack.
• You are allowed to carry a child as your weight, but they must accompany you on all laps you complete and meet the same weight requirements listed below. Please be mindful of the fall hazards on the course, as this is NOT a paved trail. You assume all risks when rucking with your child.

✯ Honorary = No weight requirements

✯ Light =  20 > lbs ruck or vest

✯ Heavy = 35 > lbs ruck or vest

 

Course Overview

• Get ready for an exciting time trial criterium on a short loop, approximately 3/4 of a mile long. You'll be walking or hiking back into the Renaissance Fair Grounds on a gravel trail with some elevation. The course is designed for one-way traffic, with a clear "in" and "out" route into the staging area.

Staging Area

• Think of the staging area as your "transition" zone, similar to a triathlon. After each lap, you can hang out here, grab some food and drinks, and wait for your teammate. This is also where you'll check in and tag off to your teammate.

Lap Details

You'll have two hours to complete as many laps as possible. Each competitive team and solo marcher will receive a punch card to keep track of completed laps.

You can stop rucking at any point or time that you choose. Just please turn in your lap card so we know you have stopped the race. 

Honorary division will not receive a lap card. 

• How are laps tracked?
• We will have a countdown timer running. ✯ 
• Each team and solo Rucker is given one check-point "lap card". 
• Each time a marcher completes a lap and their pack clears the pack inspection (for zip ties) the card will be punched, and the next lap can begin. 
• If your zip-tie is missing or looks like it's been tampered with -- your pack will be subject to being weighed prior to receiving your lap punch. 
• If a team or solo marcher loses their punch card, they may continue the event, but their laps will not count toward the winner.✯ 

Once the clock has expired, please hand your lap card to a volunteer. We will tally your laps against others in your division and announce the results. After the laps have been counted, you are welcome to take your lap card with you.

 

Nutrition and Foot Care

• Feel free to bring your preferred nutrition, foot care, and first aid supplies, but we'll also have a limited supply of water, snacks, and foot care and first aid available in the staging area. 
• Just remember, all items must be outside of your rucking pack, as you will not be allowed to cut off your pack's zip-tie.

 

Course Safety and Liability Notice

• Please be aware that this is an off-road course, so caution should be used. 
• This is NOT a stroller-friendly course.
• Memories of Honor, our partners, and the park are not liable for lost or stolen items.
• Please keep valuables at home or securely locked in your car.
• No weapons are allowed on the premises

RUCK LAP CARDS & KEEPING IT HONEST 

Please note that the honorary division does not receive lap cards

• You have two hours to complete as many laps as possible during the allotted time.
• You will enter and exit the ruck staging area before and after each lap.
• Each team (and solo marcher) will be provided one lap card.
• The Rucker on the course must carry this card with them at all times while on the course.
• If you complete a lap and do not have your card or your team's card, that lap will not count. No card = No lap!
• Teams can ruck together or can participate in relay style. If you choose to participate in relay style, you must remember to hand off your lap card. Again, if you don’t hand off your lap card to your relay partner, their lap will not count.
• If time expires while you are on course, that lap does not count.

Other Note Worthy Items

• Ruck will happen rain or shine, except if it’s lightning.
• Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
• As mentioned earlier. No animals are allowed on the premises. ADA service animals are welcome.
• Alcohol is not permitted within the park. 

 

The impact of your participation and donations

Funds from this event will support our annual athletic healing retreat for surviving families and combat veterans.

We are thrilled to have GORUCK join us on this healing journey. Their generous support has equipped over 20 team members with footwear for this year's Bataan Memorial Death March.

 

Resource Tents - Important Information

If you signed up as a resource tent, please reach out to Kristen at Kristen@memoriesofhonor.org. The venue requires insurance from all companies setting up and handing out information.

Please bring your own table, chairs, and tent (with weights). Alternatively, you are welcome to set up at one of the picnic tables. 

WEATHER 

• We will ruck rain or shine.