READY TO RUCK IN 2026!
5K ★ 10K ★ 30K
SATURDAY, MAY 16TH, 2026
America The Beautiful Park Colorado Springs, CO
Memorial Day Run & March invites civilians, Veterans, and uniformed Military to challenge themselves in friendly competition while helping feed homeless Veterans.
EVENT STARTS IN:
EARN THIS EXCLUSIVE T-SHIRT BY PARTICIPATING
PROUDLY ORGANIZED BY THE SPECIAL FORCES FOUNDATION
Honoring Our Partner: Mount Carmel Veterans Service Center
The Memorial Day March is made possible in part through our partnership with Mount Carmel Veterans Service Center, a nationally respected nonprofit dedicated to serving veterans, service members, and their families.
For more than a century, Mount Carmel has provided housing, healthcare access, mental health services, and long-term support to those who have worn the uniform. Their commitment to restoring stability, dignity, and hope for veterans mirrors the mission of Special Forces Foundation—to care for those who have carried the heaviest burdens of service.
We are proud to stand alongside Mount Carmel in honoring the fallen and supporting the living, ensuring that no veteran or military family walks alone.
HELP FEED HOMELESS VETERANS
Bring dry goods or load up your rucksack to help fill our food donation truck.
RACE, RUN, RUCK, WALK OR ROLL
We have 3 routes to choose from, for participants of all ages and capabilities
205,000
Pounds of food donated since 2015
30
Kilometers to show what you’re made of
25
Pound rucksack filled with dry goods required for 30K Ruck March
100%
Benefits local Colorado Veterans
HERE TO SERVE
FREE FOR KIDS 12 & UNDER
Kids 12 & under get FREE entry to fairgrounds and any route! Timing bib, medal, and shirt not included.
5K, 10K, AND 30K ROUTE OPTIONS
Supporting brain, body, and emotional well-being.
DOGS WELCOME
Career support, training, and care post-service.
SHIRT & FINISHER MEDAL
Creating community and belonging for Green Berets.
FOOD DONATIONS
Supporting brain, body, and emotional well-being.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Creating community and belonging for Green Berets.
★
5k
RUN OR RUCK
Ruck, Walk, Run, Roll or Stroll on our “easiest” route that runs alongside the uniformed military 30K Ruck March competition. This 3.1-mile route is conquerable for runners, walkers, joggers and folks of all ages and capabilities. Special pricing for Veterans.
Ruck or Run option available!
★★
10k
RUN OR RUCK
This 6.2-mile route is takes you to the next level, running alongside the uniformed military 30K Ruck March competition. Special pricing for Veterans.
Ruck or Run option available!
★★★★★★
30k
RUCK ONLY
All civilian, veteran, and qualified uniformed military participants will take on the challenge of the 30K Ruck March, carrying a 25-lb rucksack filled with your dry good donations and finishing within the allotted time.
NO run option available.
SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 16th, 2026
GALLERY
SAFETY AND RULES
WHEELS THAT ARE ALLOWED
Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome, but please don’t bring bicycles, in-line skates, or anything else that will roll you faster to the finish line.
HEADPHONES
Headphones are perfectly fine, but stay alert and keep the volume down to hear any important announcements or instructions from the course staff.
PETS
Dogs are welcome, but please keep them on a leash at all times and clean up after them!
STAY ALERT
We try hard to make sure we have staff and volunteers available to guide participants throughout the course, but we urge everyone to be aware of their surroundings and look for fellow participants, route guides, route signage, and chalk arrows to avoid getting lost.
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY
We urge everyone to carry a cell phone in the event that you or someone you see gets injured. If you need assistance with a golf cart or medical personnel, or are unable to finish the route and need to be picked up, please call the Race Director at (719) 359-4719. We will have a golf cart and medical personnel on site. Remember, if necessary, please dial 911.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE MEMORIAL DAY RUN & MARCH?
The Memorial Day Run & March will be held RAIN OR SHINE. Please see above for the race day location and schedule.
IS THIS A FUN RUN OR A RACE?
Both! The 5K can be considered a fun run or walk, since it’s an easy 3.1 miles. That doesn’t mean the 5K can’t be a race either! All routes are chip-timed.
DO I NEED TO BE A TOP ATHLETE TO PARTICIPATE?
For the 5K/10K routes, you don’t need to be a top athlete! We offer 3 routes to encourage folks of all ages and capabilities to be able to participate and compete. If you’re a runner, it’s recommended to do the proper training leading up to a 5K/10K race. If you’re doing the 30K Ruck March, we DO recommend training ahead of time, with the equipment and amount of weight you plan on carrying. There are a lot of resources out there to help you train for a Ruck March. Good luck!
IS THIS A TIMED RACE?
Yes, ALL participants will receive a timing bib. These bibs start recording your time when you step over the Start line, and stop recording when you step over the Finish line, so you can be sure your time is accurate!
WHEN AND WHERE WILL RACE RESULTS BE POSTED?
At the event, the race results are planned to be posted as soon as possible. We will post the results online later in the day, as well as an email to all participants to who opted in for email.
SHOULD I TRAIN FOR THE 30K RUCK MARCH?
Yes. This is an extreme physical challenge, and it’s highly recommended to not only train, but train the proper way, and give yourself plenty of time to train. There are a lot of great resources out there, including the video below by Brad LcLeod from SealGrinderPT.com.
HOW MUCH WEIGHT DO I NEED TO CARRY IN MY RUCKSACK?
To complete 30K Ruck March and obtain the Norwegian Foot March Badge, it’s required to carry 25 lb, including the weight of the pack. That weight must be in the form of non-perishable food items that will be donated after the March.
WHAT ARE THE UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIFORMED MILITARY PARTICIPANTS?
All Uniformed Military participants must wear ACU or service equivalent. Non-standard T-shirts may be worn in place of the regulation T-shirts (Under Armour, for example) as long as it is of the same color. Distinctive unit T-shirts are authorized and are encouraged for unit esprit de corps for wear underneath the uniform.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Dogs are welcome on the routes, but unfortunately they are NOT allowed inside the Event Center (Freedom Fest). While on the route, please keep them leashed and clean up after them.
CAN I BRING MY KIDS OR STROLLER?
Yes, families with children are encouraged to sign up. Kids 12 & under get FREE entry (no T-shirt, timing bib, or medal).
Strollers are welcome, but the course this year will have some unpaved sections.
CAN I LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE I RUN?
Of course! But keep the volume level down so that you can stay alert and hear instructions from course staff.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I GET HURT?
If you need assistance with a golf cart or medical personnel, or are unable to finish the route and need to be picked up, call (TBD). We will also have First Aid kits available at the Start/Finish as well as at all Water Stations along the routes.
If you see that someone needs immediate help or needs an ambulance, please dial 911!
HOW MUCH IN FOOD DONATIONS SHOULD I BRING?
As much as you want! 25lb pounds of food is required for the 30K Ruck March. Food donations are not required for the 5K or 10K runs, but we encourage participants and spectators to bring a few extra food donations to help feed homeless Colorado Veterans.
WHERE DOES ALL THE FOOD GO?
We donate the food collected to help feed local homeless Veterans. We donate to Warrior Warehouse & Redistribution Center, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Douglas Elbert County Task Force, among others.
HOW MUCH OF MY REGISTRATION GOES TO HELPING VETERANS?
100%! Your registration (and donations!) helps our organization, Special Forces Foundation, continue to host special events in order to raise awareness and funds for local Veterans and Veterans organizations. Our mission is to enhance pride and patriotism in all Coloradans by building a stronger, more supportive community around our Veterans.