THE SCHEELS - FOLDS OF HONOR IOWA 2026 RUCK OF REMEMBRANCE

OPEN TO EVERYONE!!

***ACTIVE MILITARY, VETERANS, ACTIVE FIRST RESPONDERS, AND RETIRED FIRST RESPONDERS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE FREE OF CHARGE!!! (details below)***

WHAT IS IT?

Grab your plates, throw on your rucker, and hit the course! The SCHEELS - Folds of Honor Iowa Ruck of Remembrance presented by Baker Group and 515 Ruck Club is a ruck to honor those who have served, remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and pay tribute to the military service members and first responders who continue to lay it all on the line, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

This is NOT a race (though you can treat it as such if you're one of those ultra-competitive types), but more of a challenging event that demonstrates to those who have sacrificed so much for us that WE HAVE THEIR BACKS! 

Active military service members, veterans, active first responders, and retired first responders are all invited to participate in this event--FREE OF CHARGE (using promo codes MILITARY or FIRSTRESPONDER)! Other participants are asked to pay a small registration fee to assist in operating the event and raising funds for life-changing scholarships. 

THIS IS A FUNDRAISING EVENT

All participants are encouraged to participate in a fundraising contest. Funds raised will go to Folds of Honor Iowa.  Folds of Honor Iowa is an Iowa nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the children and spouses of Iowa's military service members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces or as a first responder.

The fundraising platform can be found on the same registration page and is easy to set up during the registration process. These funds will be used to fund scholarships for the families of our fallen and disabled military service members and first responders in YOUR state, YOUR city, or even YOUR neighborhood! We encourage you to share your fundraising efforts to help us provide life-changing scholarships to some deserving families! 

For those who raise $150 or more, you will receive an event-specific challenge coin, symbolizing your dedication to helping those who serve us all! This will be a great way to honor and remember those who sacrificed while helping their families pursue educational opportunities!

PRIZES AND PATCHES

The primary competitive aspect will revolve around fundraising efforts. Prizes will be presented to the top fundraisers (more info coming soon!)  All finishers will receive a Ruck of Remembrance patch with an option to purchase a Ruck of Remembrance t-shirt (REGISTRATION FOR FINISHER PATCHES AND SHIRT ORDERS MUST BE COMPLETED NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT ON 9/19/2026 TO ENSURE AVAILABILITY ON 10/10/2026, OTHERWISE NOT GUARANTEED). 

SIGNS OF REMEMBRANCE

We would like to continue lining our course with the names and faces of those heroes who gave their all for the rest of us.

Our FOH Iowa Signs of Remembrance will fill the course with a photo of your loved one with their branch of service or first responder department. At the conclusion of the event, you are welcome to take your sign home. 

You do NOT have to participate in the event to request a sign.

FOLLOWING YOUR ORDER, PLEASE SEND A SERVICE, DEPARTMENT, OR CANDID PHOTO OF YOUR LOVED ONE TO: jeginoire@foldsofhonor.org

FINAL DAY TO ORDER SIGNS OF REMEMBRANCE IS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH...so order today!

DISTANCES

There will be options for varying distances (5k, 10k, 20k), with staggered start times and the goal of finishing the ruck at approximately the same time so we can all celebrate those we came to honor together.  The goal is to provide options for those who are supporters of our military service members and first responders but are new to rucking all the way to those who want the challenge of a 20k! For weight, the standard from GORUCK is: 30 lbs for anyone weighing 150 lbs+ and 20 lbs for anyone who weighs less than 150 lbs (but we won't bring our scale with us to check...)! 

If you're new, don't worry or be intimidated if you don't have any official ruckers, plates, or other gear...throw your weight in a comfortable backpack and dip your toes into the rucking world...that said...we will NOT be policing this and welcome all who want to walk in remembrance of our loved ones, whether or not they have a rucker or bag.

COURSE

Each distance event (5k, 10k, 20k) will start from the same area and will utilize the Jordan Creek area trail system in West Des Moines. The start/finish line and athlete village will be located at Jordan Creek Mall with an exact location disclosed at a later time.

CAN A MINOR PARTICIPATE?

Yes! That would be awesome! But he or she must be registered under the parent's/guardian's primary account and the listed rules, agreements, and waivers must be adhered to.