So Now What? What To Do With the GORUCK Gifts You Got (and Gave)
At GORUCK, we believe gear is meant to be used and used hard. That is why we build it from the toughest materials on the planet and back it with our Scars Lifetime Guarantee. Gear sitting in a closet does not build grit. Gear under load, with others, does.
In the spirit of December’s monthly theme “LIVE” and because the calendar is about to flip, here is your good-livin’-approved guide to getting after it in the new year. Forward it to your friends and family, we are certain there is something for everyone.
Kick Off the New Year with the January Ruck Fit Challenge
This January, we are rucking into the new year with endurance, strength, and consistency. Whether you are brand new or a seasoned GRT, the goal is simple: show up, put weight on your back, and move.
Choose your weight
Set your goal
Complete 10 total rucks between January 1 and 31
Earn your Ruck Fit patch
Commit to 10 rucks in January by ordering the patch.
His and Hers Rucks for the Quiet Professionals of Everyday Life
Life moves fast. One of the best ways to slow it down is to add weight and step outside with people you care about. Something interesting happens when you do it together. The weight gets lighter, the conversations get better, and taking the ruck off feels like freedom. Don’t take it from just us, read what Dr. Samantha Boardman has to say about friends being the best therapy.
Recommended gear:
Insider tip: Use the Ruck Finder, built by Izzy at HQ, to dial in the best carry for your body and your life.
Rucking Events for All Ages, Fitness Levels, and Weirdo Energy
Ruckapalooza Rucking Festival, community meetup, beer garden, therapy session. Austin, Jacksonville Beach, San Diego, and DC. Choose your adventure, earn all the patches.
Ruckapalooza is a GORUCK throwdown for all fitness levels. Come ruck, move, play, and try challenges at your own pace, no pressure, no experience required. Earn all the patches, hang with the GORUCK community, enjoy free beverages, live music, and a weekend that’s all about showing up and having fun.
Registration pages coming soon!
More Events for Women
MotherRucker 5Ks
Calling out the ladies. Bring your Spy Ruck or OG Rucker/Ruck Plate Carrier for pop-up 5k rucks across the country (and maybe the world!) Full year schedule TBA soon but save the date for the first event on International Women’s Day (March 8) in Austin, TX.
Ruck & Flow
Retreats for women who want to find their edge and relax. Save the Date and be on the lookout for details and registration coming out soon.
Jacksonville Beach, Florida | April 23 to 25, 2026
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica | August 26 to 30, 2026
More locations/dates to be announced soon.
Badass Babes Weekend - Savannah, GA
Badass Babes is a women-only GORUCK Challenge Weekend designed as a fun, challenging getaway with Good Livin’, laughter, and strong community. Set in historic Savannah, Georgia, this flagship team event brings together some of the most badass women around. Finish the Challenge and your Cadre will reward you with a cold drink and an exclusive patch never for sale.
And while not an event, I will be starting a newsletter for women in the new year so stay tuned and/or let the females in your life know!
Do Hard Things
If your love language is mutual suffering and pushing past comfort:
CITY RUCKS
The City Rucking Series (formerly Star Course) is a great way to join GORUCK Nation, to meet people who live our way of life, and to explore your city or a new one on foot.
Challenges
The GORUCK Challenge is our flagship and original team building event - we’ve led over 10,000 since 2010. At your Challenge, you’ll have some team building fun organized by your Cadre.
Ruck Clubs
If you’re new to a city or traveling around, GORUCK Clubs are a good way to link up with the community and get some physical activity in at the same time.
Bragg Heavy
Known as the “King of all Rucks,” Bragg Heavy is the original GORUCK Heavy, dating back to 2012 and executed annually on the hallowed ground of Fort Bragg. Modeled after Special Forces training that earns the Green Beret, this legendary weekend offers multiple challenge levels—from the 24-hour Heavy to the 3-hour Light. For the ultimate test, complete all four Bragg events and earn the coveted BRAGG HTBL patch. One weekend. Multiple paths. One legendary standard.
TEAM ASSESSMENT
Nothing bonds besties like synchronized sandbag lunges at 3 a.m. Team Assessment is a 48+ hour, two-person team endurance event. You and your teammate will compete head-to-head against other teams in a continuous series of physical and mental challenges led and enforced by GORUCK Cadre. This is not a race. This is an assessment.
9/11 MEMORIAL EVENTS (25TH ANNIVERSARY)
Twenty-five years later, GORUCK returns to NYC to honor the fallen during the 9/11 memorial events. Two weeks of City Rucks, GORUCK Challenges, and memorial workouts offer all fitness levels a chance to pay tribute to the fallen, First Responders, and all who served. Join us in NYC in 2026. Earn your patch. Never Forget.
RECON RAIDER
Train on historic ground alongside elite GORUCK Cadre as you take on the Recon Raider Challenge, inspired by Marine Corps Special Operations Forces. Complete the Heavy, Tough, and Basic to earn the exclusive Recon Raider HTB patch, and honor those who came before by pushing your limits.
ACROSS THE POND
NORMANDY AND THE 82ND ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY
June 6, 1944—D-Day. Allied forces stormed Normandy to break tyranny and change the world. Before dawn, the 82nd Airborne dropped behind enemy lines, seizing key objectives and fighting for 33 days without relief, helping secure the invasion’s success. In 2026, GORUCK returns to Normandy for the 82nd Anniversary of D-Day. We ruck the beaches, hedgerows, and Pointe du Hoc. We carry weight. We honor sacrifice. We remember why freedom isn’t free. Open to all. Earn it. Honor them.
Jason and Emily will also return to Normandy alongside Cadre Dan and Cadre Mac to honor the fallen and the 82nd Airborne on some of the most hallowed ground in history.
INGRESS
Niantic, the makers of Ingress and Pokémon GO, have partnered with GORUCK to bring three special Ingress events to a location near you. These events blend competitive teamwork, exploration, and strategic problem-solving inspired by the Ingress game, where agents of all skill levels join teams to complete missions, earn points, and unlock exclusive rewards—creating a unique, immersive experience that emphasizes collaboration, light physical activity, rucking and community engagement in real-world settings.
- Stealth Ops
- Urban Ops
- Operation Clear Field
TENTATIVE UPCOMING INGRESS EVENT DATES:
02/27-03/01: Lisbon
02/27-03/01: Charlotte
03/13-03-15: Hong Kong
03/13-03/15: Zagreb
03/20-03/22: Hyderabad, India
03/30-03/22: Buenos Aires
05/15-05/17: Sydney, Australia and Prague, Czechia
05/29-05/31: Kure City, Japan and Jersey City, NJ
06/19-06/21: Geneva, Switzerland and Lima, Peru
Walk of the World in the Netherlands
After many years of watching from the sidelines, GORUCK is going to recon the Walk of the World, meaning Jason, Emily and our GRT friends will be rucking four marathons in four days through the Netherlands. This event is open to civilians, active duty, and veterans from July 21 to 24.
PARTNER EVENTS
Join our GORUCK crew at our partner events in the USA and beyond.
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Rucking division options: 26.2, 13.1, 5K
Date: January 30th to February 1st 2026
Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL
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Date: January 31st 2026
Location: GORUCK HQ, Jacksonville Beach, FL
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SuperHuman The Epic Trail Ruck Series
Date: TBA
Location: United Kingdom
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Lexi J. Wellness | Community Workout
Date: March 20th 2026
Location: GORUCK HQ, Jacksonville Beach, FL
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Distance options: 26.2, 13.1
Date: March 20th to March 22nd, 2026
Location: San Diego, CA
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Travis Manion Foundation Manion WOD
Date: April 24th to April 29th, 2026
Location: GORUCK HQ, Jacksonville Beach, FL
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GWOT Ruckapalooza City Ruck Series
Date: May 14th 2026
Location: Washington D.C.
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Date: May 23rd to May 24th, 2026
Location: Miami, FL
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Date: May 22nd to May 25th, 2026
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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RunningMan
Date: September 18th to September 20th, 2026
Location: Kingston Downs, GA
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Travis Manion Foundation 9/11 Heroes Run
Date: September 11th, 2026
Location: Doylestown, PA
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Date: November 13th to November 15th
Location: Texas
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CHAD1000x presented by the StepUp Foundation and hosted by the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation
Date: November 2026
Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Rogue Invitational
Date: TBA
Location: TBA
Pro tip: Bring a friend to their first WOD. If they come back, keep them.
FEED YOUR BRAIN AND LAUGH MUSCLES
Liz Plosser’s Best Case Scenario for mornings when motivation feels lighter than your ruck.
Peter Attia podcasts for people who recover from a long ruck by overanalyzing mitochondria.
Ronny Chieng. Funniest man to ever rock a GR1. He’s on tour so catch him if you can.
Smashing Pumpkins for Jason-core energy or Monster’s Spotify mixes for that push-the-pace mood.
Jason’s book with Harper Collins coming soon. Already a future stocking stuffer.
And last but not least, shout out to Drew Brees and all his rucking content. He loves to ruck!