05/01/2026
As we take a moment to reflect on this year’s 222+ mile ruck… it’s impossible not to think about the people and businesses who showed up without hesitation and carried pieces of this journey right alongside us.
When we needed a place to land, Sol’s Arcade + Taproom didn’t blink. They simply said, “come on over.” They opened early for us on that very first day and made sure we knew we had a place waiting when we came home. They created space for rest, for laughter, for tired legs to pause… and went the extra mile to ensure every single meal along the way was taken care of. That kind of support? You don’t forget it.
On that final stretch, when every mile feels heavier but home feels closer, we were met with something just as special. A new local business called Soul Sistah took a chance on us, poured their heart into a meal that felt like comfort, and you could truly taste the love in every bite. It wasn’t just food… it was like coming home to family.
That moment was made possible by Brightspeed, who stepped in to cover the cost without asking for anything in return. They didn’t just support the walkers… they supported a small business and invested in a mission that’s bigger than all of us. That’s what real community connection looks like.
This ruck is about awareness, about showing up for one another, about reminding people they’re not alone. And along the way, these incredible partners proved that message doesn’t just live in the miles… it lives in the people who choose to stand beside you.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for walking this journey with us. đź’›
