FAQs
Who Should Participate?
Legacy Ruck and Roll is open to anyone who wants to honor the service and sacrifice of the Post-9/11 generation.
This event welcomes:
• Veterans and active duty servicemembers
• Gold Star families and military families
• First responders
• Students and young leaders
• Families with children
• Community members who want to show their support
You do not need military experience to participate.
Whether you choose to walk, carry a ruck, push a stroller, or roll alongside others, your presence helps ensure the stories of the Global War on Terror generation are remembered.
Legacy Ruck and Roll is about community, remembrance, and carrying the legacy forward together.
New to Rucking?
If you are new to rucking, you are not alone. Many participants at Legacy Ruck and Roll are experiencing their first ruck.
A ruck simply means walking with a backpack. It is a traditional military activity that symbolizes perseverance and shared effort.
For this event:
• Carrying a ruck is completely optional
• There are no weight requirements
• Many participants simply walk the course
Legacy Ruck and Roll is not a fitness competition. It is a community experience centered on remembrance, reflection, and connection.
Participants are encouraged to move at a comfortable pace and take time at the reflection stations along the route.
Whether you choose to walk, carry a ruck, push a stroller, or roll alongside others, your participation helps honor the legacy of the Post-9/11 generation.
What is Legacy Ruck and Roll?
Legacy Ruck and Roll is a community event hosted by the Drew Ross Memorial Foundation that invites participants to walk, ruck, or roll through a guided reflection experience honoring the legacy of Post-9/11 servicemembers.
Participants move through reflection stations along the course that highlight key moments in the Global War on Terror and encourage participants to pause and reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who served.
Proceeds support the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation and the Drew Ross Memorial Foundation.
Where does the event start and finish?
The ruck begins at the Virginia War Memorial and finishes at the Foundry at the American Civil War Museum on Tredegar Street, where participants will gather for the closing ceremony.
What does “ruck” mean?
A ruck is simply a walk while carrying a backpack. Rucking is a traditional military training activity that builds endurance and resilience.
Participants are welcome to carry a ruck, but it is completely optional.
Do I have to carry a ruck?
No. Carrying a ruck is completely optional.
Many participants simply walk the course. The purpose of the event is reflection and remembrance, not physical challenge.
Is there a required ruck weight?
No. There are no weight requirements for this event. If you choose to carry a ruck, you may carry whatever weight feels comfortable for you.
Can I wear my own ruck, unit gear, or military apparel?
Yes. Participants are welcome and encouraged to wear their own ruck, unit gear, military apparel, or other items that reflect their connection to service.
Many participants choose to ruck in honor of a specific servicemember or represent their unit, branch of service, or military community.
Legacy Ruck and Roll is an opportunity to visibly honor the legacy of the Post-9/11 generation, and participants are welcome to carry or wear items that reflect that spirit of remembrance and service.
How can I honor a fallen servicemember during the event?
Participants are highly encouraged to honor our nation’s fallen servicemembers during Legacy Ruck and Roll.
There are many meaningful ways to do so. Participants may choose to:
• Wear a shirt bearing the name or image of the servicemember they are honoring
• Carry a small placard or sign with the servicemember’s name and photo
• Place a name tape or patch on their ruck or backpack
• Carry a flag or ribbon in their honor
• Share their story with fellow participants along the route
Participants also have the option to purchase a Hero Sign through the Honor Your Fallen tab on the race page.
Hero Signs will be displayed along the course as a visible tribute to those who gave their lives in service to our nation. The Drew Ross Memorial Foundation retains these signs so they may continue to be displayed at future events, ensuring the legacy of these servicemembers continues to be honored.
Additional details and ordering information can be found on the Honor Your Fallen section of the race page.
What are the course options?
There are two routes available.
3.5 Mile Ruck (Standard Course)
Includes stairs and uneven terrain.
2 Mile Roll Route
Stroller friendly and wheelchair friendly with smooth terrain.
Both routes pass through the same reflection stations.
Participants can view the course maps on the main race page.
How are waves assigned?
Participants will be assigned to start waves at check in. Waves help keep the course safe and allow participants to move smoothly through the reflection stations.
Can I participate with a group?
Yes. If you would like to participate with a group, your entire group must check in together so you can be placed in the same wave.
Groups that check in separately may be placed in different waves.
Can children participate?
Yes. Families are welcome to participate, and youth registrations are available.
Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?
Yes. The 2 mile Roll Route is designed to be stroller friendly and wheelchair accessible.
Will I receive a shirt?
Yes. Each registered participant will receive a Legacy Ruck and Roll event t shirt.
Register by May 25 to guarantee your shirt size.
What should I bring?
Participants are encouraged to bring:
• Comfortable walking or rucking shoes
• A backpack or ruck if you plan to carry one (optional)
• A refillable water bottle or hydration pack
• Weather appropriate clothing
• Sunscreen and a hat if conditions are sunny
• Rain gear if the forecast calls for wet weather
Water will be provided at select locations along the course, but participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own water vessel.
Where can I park?
Parking is available at the Virginia War Memorial parking lot as well as street parking in the surrounding area.
If using street parking, please be mindful of posted parking signs, time limits, and restrictions. Participants are responsible for following all parking regulations. Event organizers are not responsible for parking tickets or fines resulting from improper parking.
What happens if the start and finish locations are different?
The event begins at the Virginia War Memorial and finishes at the Foundry at the American Civil War Museum.
Participants are encouraged to park at the Virginia War Memorial, where check in and the start of the ruck take place. After the closing ceremony, participants may walk back to the War Memorial or coordinate transportation with others in their group if needed.
What happens if it rains?
Legacy Ruck and Roll is a rain or shine event.
Participants should come prepared if weather conditions are wet.
Cancellation will only occur in the event of extreme weather conditions. If this occurs, participants will be notified by email and updates will be posted on the race page.
Will there be water on the course?
Yes. Water will be available at select locations along the course.
Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottle or hydration pack.
Will there be medical support?
Yes. Medical stations will be positioned along the course to support participants if needed.
Participants are encouraged to move at a pace that is comfortable for them and to stay hydrated throughout the event.
What happens after the ruck?
Participants will gather at the Foundry at the American Civil War Museum for the closing ceremony.
The ceremony will include brief remarks and a moment of reflection to conclude the event.
Light food and drinks will be provided.
Participants are encouraged to stay, connect with one another, and share in the community that Legacy Ruck and Roll is built to foster both before and after the scheduled remarks.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, dogs are permitted to participate in Legacy Ruck and Roll.
For the safety and comfort of all participants, the following guidelines apply:
• Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times
• Dogs that require it must be properly muzzled
• Owners are fully responsible for the behavior and control of their dog
• Owners must clean up after their dog and properly dispose of waste
• Dogs should be comfortable around crowds, strollers, and other dogs
Participants are encouraged to consider whether the event environment will be appropriate for their dog before bringing them.
Please note that dog access at the closing ceremony location may be limited. Final guidance regarding dogs at the Foundry at the American Civil War Museum will be shared prior to the event.
Event staff reserve the right to ask owners to remove any animal that becomes disruptive or unsafe.
Can I wear headphones or listen to music during the ruck?
Participants are strongly discouraged from wearing headphones or listening to music during the event.
Legacy Ruck and Roll is designed to be a shared experience of reflection and remembrance. Throughout the course, participants will encounter reflection stations with speakers sharing stories and moments from the Global War on Terror.
Listening to music may distract from these moments and from the purpose of the event.
Participants are encouraged to remain present, engage with the reflection stations, and experience the event alongside the community.
Can I volunteer instead of participating?
Yes. Volunteers play an important role in making Legacy Ruck and Roll possible.
Volunteer opportunities may include helping with check in, guiding participants along the course, assisting at reflection stations, supporting water stations, and helping with the closing ceremony.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the event team through the race contact page and we will follow up with additional information.
Volunteering is a meaningful way to support the mission and help honor the legacy of the Post-9/11 generation.
What does my registration support?
Registration and donations support:
• The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, which is building the national GWOT Memorial on the National Mall.
• The Drew Ross Memorial Foundation, which supports Gold Star families, veterans, and future leaders through service and leadership programs.
Can I donate if I cannot attend?
Yes. You can still support the mission by making a donation through the race page.
Every contribution helps honor the legacy of the Post 9/11 generation and support Gold Star families.
Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
No. Registration transfers are not permitted.
Are refunds available?
Refunds may be requested but are not guaranteed and will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
When should I arrive?
Participants are strongly encouraged to arrive no later than 9:00 AM to allow time for parking, check in, and wave assignments before the start of the event.
Arriving early also allows time to gather at the Virginia War Memorial before the ruck begins.
