The easy answer is, “for those who can’t”. When you hear “why do you ruck?”, your
response in a firm, unwavering voice, should be “4ThoseWhoCant!”

The longer, more difficult answer is that each of you has your own persons and your own
reasons for doing this. There is someone who has touched your life, accomplished amazing
feats, made incredible sacrifices, and endured unimaginable circumstances, all without
asking for anything in return. By accepting this challenge, you are helping to increase
awareness and raise funds that support HIT’s mission and programs that support veterans,
active service members and military families. Thank you!

This year, 2025, is the 10th anniversary of Ruck4HIT. It started with a crazy idea to run
from Ground Zero to Cape Cod while wearing weighted packs. Putting together two vans
of drivers, ruckers, and support personnel, the team completed the 275+ course through
four states in about 37 hours. That was the birth of Ruck4HIT, and though the location,
the date, the course, the personnel (and more) have changed since 2016, there are many
things that will never change.

The weight and the ruck are symbolic of the burdens carried by our service members and
in no way is an attempt to replicate the actual weight(s) they carry, either physically or
mentally. That being said, when it gets tough out there on the course, and I promise you it
will, remember why you are here. Honor them and what they have sacrificed for us. When
it comes to completing their mission, they don’t have the luxury of taking shortcuts. You
and your team will complete this mission. You will not take any shortcuts. You will leave
no one behind. And, when you look back on it, you will know that someone, somewhere,
was watching you and is proud of what you have just accomplished. You EARNED IT!

Why do you ruck?