These Soldiers Did the Boston Marathon Wearing 40-Pound Packs.
Last edited Wed Apr 17, 2013, 09:57 PM - Edit history (1)
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These Soldiers Did the Boston Marathon Wearing 40-Pound Packs. Then They Helped Save Lives.
When the bombs went off, the Tough Ruck 2013 crew sprang into action.
—By Tasneem Raja
| Tue Apr. 16, 2013 12:49 PM PDT
“Forced marches” or “humps” are a regular part of military training, brisk walking over tough terrain while carrying gear that could help a soldier survive if stranded alone. These soldiers, participating in “Tough Ruck 2013,” were doing the 26 miles of the Boston Marathon to honor comrades killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, or lost to suicide and PTSD-related accidents after coming home.
It took about eight hours for all of the soldiers to cross the finish line, some cruising nearly at a 13-minute mile, others coming in at a little slower pace. They were gathered near the medical tent behind the finish line, waiting for the elite runners to come in. That was the contingency plan in case anything went wrong—meet by the medical tent.
“You never think you’re gonna need it, but you always have to have a contingency plan,” says Lieutenant Stephen Fiola of the 1060th Transportation Company, who worked with the Military Friends Foundation to organize the march. Two soldiers stationed in Afghanistan also participated in the ruck from afar, according to Fiola, marching in circles around their base for 26 miles in remembrance of fallen comrades.
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Hope you enjoy this place as much as I do!
sheshe
He is the man who helped the young guy who lost both legs and is seen in this now iconic photo. Look at his t-shirt, it says Tough Ruck 2013.
My heart goes out to that man and his wife. He lost both sons, one to the war and one to suicide when the younger son couldn't cope with the death of his brother. So sad..........
I couldn't run it even wearing light weight clothes. LOL!!!
Ended up with blisters on the souls of my feet the size of a fist.
Would you look at them at the finish line, practically boogying across the finish line!
I'm not.
Bless their hearts, she. thanks
And yeah, they are boogying over that finish line! God love them. 
PB
