
Warrior Crucible is a running, adventure, and rucking race on September 4–5, 2026 in Loves Park, IL, with an entry fee of $40.
From the Organizer
To kickoff Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Warrior Crucible is a 24-hour fundraising event held annually on Labor Day weekend. The Warrior Crucible consists of three individual fitness challenges. Participants will receive one t-shirt along with an individual Warrior Foundation patch for each event completed. Participants who complete all three events during the 24-hour event will earn the exclusive Crucible patch! See our website for additional event information: https://warriorfoundationnfp.org/warrior-crucible. Expect an email from Mark.seibold@warriorfoundationnfp.org prior to the event with additional event fundraising information.
This event will be held in Loves Park, IL.
THERE IS NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION
All funds raised benefit kids fighting cancer in the local community.
Warrior Crucible
The Warrior Crucible consists of completing all three events. The event sequence will be Warrior 30 Mile Ruck, Warrior 5k (can be completed without rucksack), and finishing with the Warrior Basic Challenge. There will be an additional crucible patch given to those completing all three events. Start and Finish for all events is at Peak Sports Club Loves Park, IL
Warrior 10-30 Mile Ruck
Start and Finish is at Peak Sports Club Loves Park, IL on 9/4/26 @ 6:00pm
This event does not offer refunds or deferrals. If you are registered for the event, you agreed to the no refund and no deferral policy prior to submitting your online registration. This includes those who experience illness, injury or any other condition that may prevent them from participating in the event. This event is rain or shine. The Warrior Foundation reserves the right to cancel the event due to adverse weather conditions (lightning, torrential rain, high winds, etc.) or other emergency.
WARRIOR 10-30 MILE RUCK DETAILS
Event starts Friday, 9/4/26 @ 6:00pm. and continues overnight.
The event will start and finish as a group.
You can choose to complete 10, 20, or all 30 miles
30-mile ruck (3, 10-mile looped routes) over both trails and pavement.
There will be a break after each 10-mile loop.
Participants will receive water and limited snacks at 10 miles, 20 miles, and the finish.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT for this event:
A rucksack aka backpack
Ruck Plate = to your weight requirement
If you weigh >150 lbs. = 20 lb. Ruck Plate (or equivalent)
If you weigh < 150 lbs. = 10 lb. Ruck Plate (or equivalent)
3L Hydration Bladder
Food/Snacks
Water Bottle (1L) or equivalent (electrolytes recommended)
Reflective Ruck Bands (or equivalent) on your ruck
Headlamp with extra batteries
First Aid Kit
Gloves (1 pair) not medical gloves, working gloves
Hand Sanitizer/Wipes - 1 bottle Purell, 1 package of baby wipes (or equivalent)
Windbreaker (only if the temperature is expected below 60 ℉)
1-2 Extra Pairs of Socks
WARRIOR 5K DETAILS
5k run/walk on paved bike path
This is an out and back course, with water at the turnaround
Event starts Saturday, 9/5/26 at 9:00 a.m.
Rucksack not required to complete this event
Patch awarded at completion of race.: All finishers receive a finishers patch. Age group awards will be given to the top 3 in each age group.
Warrior Basic Challenge
This event does not offer refunds or deferrals. If you are registered for the event, you agreed to the no refund and no deferral policy prior to submitting your online registration. This includes those who experience illness, injury or any other condition that may prevent them from participating in the event. This event is rain or shine. The Warrior Foundation reserves the right to cancel the event due to adverse weather conditions (lightning, torrential rain, high winds, etc) or other emergency.
This will be a 4-5 hour Warrior Fitness Challenge that is a team event, not a race.
Start and finish at Peak Sports Club Loves Park, IL
This event does not offer refunds or deferrals. If you are registered for the event, you agreed to the no refund and no deferral policy prior to submitting your online registration. This includes those who experience illness, injury or any other condition that may prevent them from participating in the event. This event is rain or shine. The Warrior Foundation reserves the right to cancel the event due to adverse weather conditions (lightning, torrential rain, high winds, etc) or other emergency.
WARRIOR BASIC DETAILS
8-12 miles rucking over both trails and pavement
Physical Training (PT), calisthenics and functional strength training will be performed using your rucksack for resistance and/or bodyweight exercises
Event starts Saturday, 9/5/26 at 12:00p.m.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT for this event:
A rucksack aka backpack
Ruck Plate = to your weight requirement
If you weigh >150 lbs = 20 lb. Ruck Plate (or equivalent)
If you weigh < 150 lbs = 10 lb. Ruck Plate (or equivalent)
3L Hydration Bladder
Food/Snacks
Water Bottle (1L) or equivalent (electrolytes recommended)
Reflective Ruck Bands (or equivalent) on your ruck
Headlamp with extra batteries
First Aid Kit (IFAK)
Gloves (1 pair) not medical gloves, working gloves
Hand Sanitizer/Wipes - 1 bottle Purell, 1 package of baby wipes (or equivalent)
Windbreaker (only if the temperature is expected below 60 ℉)
1-2 Extra Pairs of Socks
This event does not offer refunds or deferrals. If you are registered for the event, you agreed to the no refund and no deferral policy prior to submitting your online registration. This includes those who experience illness, injury or any other condition that may prevent them from participating in the event. This event is rain or shine. The Warrior Foundation reserves the right to cancel the event due to adverse weather conditions (lightning, torrential rain, high winds, etc.) or other emergency.
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
79°
Typical Low
58°
Chance of Rain
29%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Rockford Gtr Rockford Ap, 10 mi from the venue.
Host City
City Elevation
812 ft
Nearest Airport
RFD
Chicago Rockford International Airport · 9 mi
Major Hub
ORD
Chicago O'Hare International Airport · 68 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
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Race Location
Your Next Start Line
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From Endurance Grid
This race spans more than one sport — here’s a guide to each, so you can understand what’s involved and decide if it’s the right fit. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Trek, mountain bike, and paddle with navigation between checkpoints — from a few hours to multi-day expeditions, usually in teams.
Covering a distance on foot under a weighted rucksack — from timed solo challenges to longer team events.
Coming Up
Rhythm of the Heart 5k Race & Walk
1 mile away
Glow in the Garden 5k
4 miles away
Nik's 7K Home Run & 1.5 Mile Walk & Grammy's Auction at MercyHealth Sportscore Two (Indoor Sports Center)
5 miles away
Veterans 5K Run & Walk presented by ELDRIDGE ROOFING
2 miles away
Plan your trip
Coming from out of town? There's more to Loves Park than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.
Plan your trip to Loves ParkFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Warrior Crucible
Sep 4, 2026