Military-Style Rucking Division For Tobacco Road Half-Marathon

CARY, N.C. , Jan. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Tobacco Road Marathon is pleased to announce the addition of a rucking division for this year's half-marathon that is open to all who wish to walk or run the course with a weighted rucksack.

The addition of the rucking division to the March 18^th race in Cary, NC, is the result of a partnership with The Ruckership Network and is in keeping with the Tobacco Road Marathon's historic focus as a community-based, volunteer-led race.

"The growth of interest in rucking and all its related activities made it a logical addition to our race offerings," said Tobacco Road Marathon president Kazem Yahyapour. "There's a lot of community engagement in rucking through groups like F3 Nation, Females in Action and Team RWB, and this division becomes a way to involve a new group of athletes in a race that is all about the Triangle community."

Rucking, or walking with a weighted backpack, is familiar to many people with a background in military service, as it's a key component of training for infantry soldiers who must transport heavy loads of gear across varied terrain by foot.

The activity has crossed over into the civilian population in recent years and has become a popular form of low-impact training that builds cardiovascular fitness and strength. Participants ruck socially, as part of service projects or train for events like those offered by GORUCK through its series of endurance challenges. A desire to draw together people interested in fitness, service and support for the military inspired the creation of The Ruckership Network in 2017 to serve and expand the rucking community.

"We're fired up to bring a rucking division to the Tobacco Road Half-Marathon," said Ruckership Network co-founder Tim Whitmire, who is also co-founder of the F3 Nation network of free men's workout groups. "We've seen the amazing fellowship effect that ruck training has on participants and are excited to give Triangle-area ruckers another reason to strap on their rucks in 2018."

For participants who want to ruck with a certified weight (30 pounds for people over 150 pounds, 20 for those under that standard) a team will be on hand at the start area to weigh and certify rucks before the event. In addition to the half-marathon finisher's medal, ruckers crossing the finish line will also receive a traditional 2x3-inch "morale patch" to mark their achievement.

Ruck division participants are free to move at whatever pace they like during the event.  A popular target pace is 15:00 per mile, which is a fast walk for many.

To learn more about rucking and for help connecting to a ruck training group in the Triangle area, please contact one of the following groups: F3 Nation (men only): [email protected]; Females in Action (women only): [email protected]; Team Red, White, and Blue (co-ed): [email protected].

The Tobacco Road Marathon Association is a non-profit organization dedicated with its sponsors to providing financial assistance to its partner charities by channeling the passions of the North Carolina Triangle area's running community into a powerful force for good.

The Ruckership Network's mission is to grow and serve the rucking community as a gathering place for all people motivated by fitness, service and support for members of the military. The group's credo is "Ruck Hard for a Better World!"

Contact: Mark Dill, (919) 949-9263

SOURCE Tobacco Road Marathon Association (TRMA)

Related Links

http://www.tobaccoroadmarathon.com