In 6 days we will join together for the 6th Annual Tough Ruck - fueled by the Boston Marathon. Over 26.2 miles of certified course, on the original battle roads of the Revolutionary War, you will be honoring America's Heroes and giving much needed support our military families. Tough Ruck is held in partnership with the Boston Athletic Association and only Tough Ruckers receive the official Boston Marathon Medal.

We want to thank our flagship sponsors - the Boston Athletic Association , Minute Man National Historical Park, The Old Manse, and National Grid Crew - for creating, supporting and enhancing the infrastructure to make #ToughRuck2018 a reality. We want to especially thank the 1st Lieutenant Derek Hines Soldier Assistance Fund .
#TOUGHRUCK2018
Please read this information carefully and help us make this year the best yet!

BIB AND SWAG PICK-UP & FREE PRE-RUCK DINNER: 
Friday, April 13 | 5:00pm-7:00pm: The Musketaquid Sportsmen’s Club, 250 Old Mill Road (follow the signs down the dirt road), Concord, MA. This location can be difficult to find depending on where you are when you enter your GPS. We recommend you use the address of 80 Old Mill Road, Concord, MA and follow the dirt path. You will see signage and a police detail the entrance of the path. If you are planning to attend the dinner, please RSVP HERE by Tuesday, April 10th so that we have the head count for food.
Saturday, April 14 | 5:15am-7:00am: The Old Manse, 269 Monument Street, Concord, MA.

All Ruckers must have a government issued ID (license, military ID, etc.) to pick up their bib. As a registered Rucker you may pick up another registered Rucker’s bib if you have a copy of their ID (cell phone picture is OK). Just a friendly reminder that you can only ruck under a bib in your own name. 

You will also pick-up your earned swag at bib pick up. There is no bag check at the event but you will have your ruck!
$450 individual fundraising commitment: Long sleeve performance tee
$950 individual fundraising commitment: Long sleeve performance tee and sweatshirt
$1500 individual fundraising commitment: Long sleeve performance tee, sweatshirt and Boston Marathon Jacket
Opening day registration: Free Tough Ruck Patch

Additional swag will be for sale including coins, hats, sweatshirts, and tshirts.

PARKING AND SHUTTLE BUSES:
Ruckers: All participants must park at 55 Old Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA. There is absolutely no Rucker parking at the start line or in the adjacent National Park parking lots. This year shuttle buses will run constantly from 5:00am until 6:30 pm . There are military buses and civilian buses. To board the military bus you must have a military ID. If you have a military ID, please use the military buses as civilians cannot travel on those buses.

This year the buses will leave from the lot on the right when you pull into 55 Old Bedford Road. You can look for the signage for bus stop pick-up.

The opening ceremony and safety briefing will start at 7:00am and the Ruck will start at 7:20am SHARP. We HIGHLY recommend that you arrive at the parking lot NO LATER than 5:30AM to give ample time to board the bus and get to the start and weigh station.

Spectators: You family and friends are welcome to cheer you on! Read below for more information on spectator locations. There will be no spectator parking at The Old Manse. All spectators who want to travel to the start/finish line will need to park at 55Old Bedford Road and take the shuttle bus to The Old Manse. Buses will run approximately every 15 minutes.

SECURITY INFORMATION:
Your ruck may be inspected at any time for security purposes. All Ruckers must carry their government issued ID throughout the entire Ruck. (You’ll have it anyway for the finish line beer garden so this should be an easy one.)

Historical reenactments will be taking place throughout Minute Man National Park as part of Patriots Day Weekend. Also note, you will likely hear cannons firing or rifle volleys throughout the day.

If you must drop any weight during the ruck, you can only do so at the hydration/fueling stations. It can be a significant security concern and cost if you dump weight, such as bricks wrapped in duck tape so please avoid doing so! If you are seen dumping weight outside of the two hydration stations, you may be removed from the event by National Park Rangers.

Historical reenactments will be taking place throughout historical Minute Man National Park as part of Patriots Day Weekend. You will likely hear cannons firing or rifle volleys throughout the day. Minute Man National Historical Park Rangers are reminding Ruckers to not carry radios playing music out loud in respect for the reenactments and the hallowed grounds .  

CARRY IN WHAT YOU CARRY OUT:
We are guests of Minute Man National Historical Park. As in years past, it is expected that all trash (to include any weight) will be placed in trash receptacles. We cannot stress enough how seriously this will be taken . There will be additional trash receptacles at the hydration and aid stations.  If you are seen dumping trash, you may be removed from the course by the National Park Rangers and disqualified from the event. If you are removed from the course you will not receive your finishers medal. And really, what’s a few Gatorade bottles and orange peels in your Ruck on top of the weight you will already be crushing. #keeptheparkclean

EMERGENCY INFORMATION/SIGNS
There will be signs placed throughout the trail to help Ruckers identify where they are in case of an emergency. EMTS/medical personnel from will be located at both hydration stations and at this year's 5 new aid stations. If you are safety able to reach a hydration station or aid station then you can receive medical assistance their including a transport back to the finish line. Mobile EMTs will also be on the course. In case of an emergency where you can’t get to either hydration stations or aid stations, and you need to dial 911 let them know you are with the Tough Ruck and find a marker/sign to let them know where you are located.

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION:
The Tough Ruck course had a few modifications over last few years. It’s extremely important that you follow the signs and course markers. All participants MUST stay on the sidewalk where they are available. In the few spots where there is no sidewalk, please stay as close to the side of the road as possible. This course is open to traffic and every participant MUST follow the pedestrian rules of the roads. We will have volunteers and police detail on the course to assist you.   It is very important to follow the directions of the volunteers when you enter into the Parker's Revenge reenactment area/Airport Road. You will proceed in the coned off area. Please be respectful at all times of the reenactors.

RIBBONS FOR THE FALLEN:
As part of Tough Ruck tradition, each Rucker will complete the entire course carrying a rucksack with the names of Fallen Servicemembers, Police, Firefighters and EMTs. You are welcome to: 1) make your own ribbons prior to the ruck 2) make ribbons at bib pick-up the night before or morning of Tough Ruck or 3) select pre-made ribbons to carry. We ask that you post a photo of your ruck with and your bib number to our Facebook page or use our event hashtag #toughruck2018 to ensure that families of the Fallen can follow you and their loved ones ribbon. Families of Fallen Servicemembers will be at the Memorial Ribbon tent to assist you with making ribbons.

FUNDRAISING & EARNED SWAG:
This year all Tough Ruckers are fundraising and supporting the mission! We can't thank you enough for literally making a difference in the life of a military family through Military Friends Foundation 501c3.

April 1st was your fundraising deadline. Each Rucker needed to meet their individual fundraising goal by 11:59PM EST on April 1st. For example, if you committed to raise $950 and on April 1st you have raised $900, then you will be charged the remaining balance of $50. To find a realtime update of your fundraising page, go to https://www.crowdrise.com/toughruck and search by your name in the upper righthand corner. If the credit card you had on file may have expired and you were not charged any remaining balance, you can search your page and make a donation directly to your page. In order to pick-up you bib, you will need to have met your fundraising goal. If you are unclear what your individual fundraising goal is here it is a summary: 1) If you paid $125 to register, your individual fundraising goal was $450 2) If you paid $50 to register, your individual fundraising goal was $950 and 3) If you paid $0 to register, your individual fundraising goal was $1500.

HYDRATION & TOILETS:
Tough Ruckers should be self-contained and bring the fuel and the hydration needed for the course. Remember to factor your water and fuel consumption in throughout the course and how it might impact your overall minimum weight requirements.

You asked for it and we listened. #ToughRuck2018 is the year of more porta-toilets at the start and the 2 hydration stations at The Meriam House and Fiske Hill. Extra toilet paper too! The hydration locations will be visited twice on the course and will have water and Gatorade (available while supplies last). This year doctors specializing in foot and ankle injuries will also be at each hydration station. There is NO hydration at the start of the race so please plan accordingly (remember Concord does not sell bottled water).

WEIGH STATION & WEIGH DIVISIONS
All participants rucksacks must weigh a minimum of 15lbs for lightweight division or a minimum of 35lbs for heavyweight division. There will be a weigh station near registration for everyone to weigh their bags and confirm proper weight. Weighing your bag is mandatory and your bib will be stamped and division recorded at the weigh station before step-off . Again, your division will be determined at the weigh station - this means that you can decide the morning of how much weigh you want to carry. Make sure that you allow enough time to weigh in. The only weight that is recorded is the weight in the ruck. Weighted vests will not count towards the weight.

You must maintain the minimum ruck weight for your division throughout the entire course. There is a mandatory ruck weigh in upon return at the finish line. Any Rucker carrying lighter than their division standards will be disqualified (DQ) and eliminated from award contention. All finishers will still receive a medal.

CIVILIAN vs. MILITARY DIVISIONS:
You will receive your division designation at the weigh station. In addition to the light (15lbs) and heavy (35lbs) division, you will also be designated in the civilian or military category. Civilians are required to carry a ruck - all other footwear and clothing choices can be of the Rucker's choosing.

In order to be designated as a military division participant you must be current, former or retired military and dress in accordance to the guidelines below. Please make special note on the blouse guidelines if wearing a team tshirt.
COURSE TIMING AND AWARDS:
To get an accurate race time, you must have your bib affixed to the FRONT of your shirt or leg. Race timing is provided by RaceWire. Be sure to step on the mat as you leave, when you cross the finish line, and on all the mats along the course. There will be mats at either end of the back and forth laps. Once you cross the finish line your ruck will be weighed in again.

Official race timing will end after 9 hours. If you continue, you are proceeding at your own choosing and risk. If your weight is below the minimum for the division you started the ruck in you will have a DQ next to your official time.

All Ruckers will receive their Boston Marathon Finishers Medal from a Family of Fallen Servicemember. Please make sure to pick up your official finishers certificate from the Boston Marathon/Tough Ruck Step-And-Repeat Photo area.

Awards will be given in the following categories:

Top Fundraisers 
***Award for top fundraiser as reflect on online donations as of April 14, 2018 at 1200 HRS***
1st Place Individual 
2nd Place Individual 
3rd Place Individual 
1st Place Team Overall

Military Heavy - Male 
Award for first place in the following age groups: 
18-30  
31-45 
46-60 
61-up                                 
Must be weighed at start/finish line at 35lbs min and in regulation uniform 
  
Military Heavy - Female 
Award for first place in the following age groups: 
18-30 
31-45 
46-60 
61-up   
Must be weighed at start/finish line at 35lbs min and in regulation uniform 
 
Military Light - Male  
Award for first place in the following age groups: 
18-30 
31-45 
46-60 
61-up    
Must be weighed at start/finish line at 15lbs min and in regulation uniform 
 
Military Light - Female 
Award for first place in the following age groups: 
18-30 
31-45 
46-60 
61-up   
Must be weighed at finish line at 15lbs min and in regulation uniform 
  
Civilian Heavy - Male
Award for first place in the following age groups: 
18-30  
31-45 
46-60 
61-up                                
Must be weighed at start/finish line line at 35lbs min in ruck 
 
Civilian Heavy - Female 
Award for first place in the following age groups: 
18-30 
31-45 
46-60 
61-up  
Must be weighed at finish line at 35lbs min in ruck 
 
Civilian Light - Male 
Award for first place in the following age groups: 
18-30 
31-45 
46-60 
61-up   
Must be weighed at finish line at 15lbs min in ruck 

Civilian Light - Female 
Award for first place in the following age groups: 
18-30 
31-45 
46-60 
61-up  
Must be weighed at finish line at 15lbs min and in ruck 

Firefighter Division
Award for first place:
Requirements full turnout gear helmet, jacket, pants and scba pack - sneakers optional 
 
RACE SWAG:
You earned it! You will receive your long sleeve Tough Ruck performance shirt at bib pick-up. All finishers will receive the first of the official BAA 2018 Boston Marathon medals and finishers certificate.

Tough Ruck swag will be available for sale at bib pick-up, pre and post-race. Checks, cash and credit cards accepted.

CHEERING AND PHOTO-OP VIEWING
Friends and family coming to watch YOU? That’s because you are AWESOME. Let them know some great places to watch include the Hartwell Tavern (there is a picnic area and bathrooms at this location) and Parkers Revenge Reenactment accessible via the Minute Man Parking area.

#TOUGHRUCK2018 FINISH LINE:
This year shuttle buses will run back and forth all day (approximately every 15 minutes) from the parking area at 55 Old Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA to the finish line for your fans to travel on! Family-friendly finish line festivities will take place from 1-6PM.

Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant, our signature food sponsor, will be onsite to feed our hungry participants at the finish line! Gluten-sensitive pasta will be available! Remember to bring you ID for Harpoon – Love Life. Love Beer and White Claw - the Purest Hard Seltzer in the World! And don't miss our new ice cream sundae's by Treadwells!

Families and friends are encouraged to come out to the finish line to cheer you on! We recommend they bring a chair and a picnic as there is limited availability of food in the area of The Old Manse.

Make sure to stop by the Tough Ruck Swag Tent, the massage tent, our friends at LYMBR stretching, The Vet Center, Nashoba Bread sampling, Team WAAF, Stride and Ride, Lululemon, National Guard Recruiting Tent and more!  

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!