you must first complete the GORUCK Challenge. To pass, you and your fellow Challenge takers all wear GORUCK backpacks stuffed with 20 lbs of bricks across a grueling trek ranging from 12-18 miles and lasting from 6-9 hours. Classes are small (max 30) and camaraderie is high. The routes showcase the best of a city’s urban terrain and allow the GORUCK cadre to test each Challenge taker’s teamwork skills and ability to persevere under conditions of mental and physical exhaustion.
Additional details are NOT forthcoming; the distance, events, and time to completion are at the discretion of the cadre. The ultimate test is mental, but physical demands are extreme and the Challenge is not for everyone. Those who make it share a bond well earned...
What to Wear/Bring
- Lightweight windbreaker that does NOT retain water. This is required for winter Challenges, and you will not be allowed to do the Challenge without one. This is to prevent hypothermia.
- Lightweight trail running shoes that can get wet and that can handle varied terrain. We can’t always predict where the mind of Jason will take you.
- Lightweight socks that don’t retain water. You do NOT want to have cold, wet feet longer than you have to.
- Lightweight clothing that will not retain water, even if it’s cold out.
- Camelbak bladder for water.
- Some energy bars and/or gel shots. You may be GORUCK tough, but you still need to
eat.
- Headlamp (night Challenges only)
- One small waterproof bag with a change of socks and an extra shirt
- One form of identification.
- $20 for a cab home in case you want to quit along the way. Note: if you do this, you are required to then cab it back with burritos for everyone. Extra guac.
Note: it’s not rocket science. It will be cold out, and you will be wet and exhausted, in a beautiful kind of shared way. Food, clothing, bricks and even warmth become community items, so if you want our tips on how to train, here they are, in their entirety: start to think of yourself last as you hit the running trails day after day to build up the endurance necessary to carry one of your teammates at the time when you feel your absolute weakest. Yes, it’s all mental.