THE RUFF RUCK CHALLENGE 2025 - Service Dogs for Veterans and First Responders

Name: THE RUFF RUCK CHALLENGE 2025 - Service Dogs for Veterans and First Responders
Start: 2025-10-18T12:00:00-04:00
Location: Wonderland Distilling Co.

Schedule

Sat, 18 Oct, 2025 at 12:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Wonderland Distilling Co. | Muskegon, MI

🐾 Join us for a heartwarming cause and play your part in making a monumental impact! 🐾
DONATE/REGISTERATION - (INDIVIDUAL/TEAMS HERE): https://pages.donately.com/theruffruckchallenge/campaign/ruff-ruck-challenge-2025/top-fundraisers
📅 Date: October 18th at Noon
📍 Venue: Wonderland Distillery
Event Details:
Rucking for a Cause - This unique event invites you to carry a weighted backpack or vest and embark on a journey to support our valiant veterans and first responders. No weight? No worries! Walking without weight is equally celebrated, as every step you take brings a veteran or first responder closer to their service dog.
⏱️ Pre-registration starts at 11 AM - Rucking starts at Noon.
🎟️ Pre-registration fee: $25 or $35 on site, day of.
Our Goal:
For every $15,000 raised, we will be able to vet, acquire and begin the training of ONE service puppy. This noble animal will be trained under the expert guidance of the WMK9 Foundation and subsequently paired with a deserving veteran after completion of training.
On The Big Day:
Choose one of these options:
🎒 The Ruff Ruck Challenge
Mission: Cover 12 miles carrying a rucksack or weight vest weighing between 35-50 lb.
Time Limit: Finish within 3 hours.
Trivia: This mirrors the Army Ranger Ruck Test.
🥾The PC Run - (Personal Challenge)
Mission: Set a personal distance and/or donation goal!
How? Walk, wheelchair, or ruck the longest distance you have gone at one time. You are going for a distance that you will talk about and remember the rest of your life. If you are an experienced walker, add a weighted ruck sack to increase the challenge.
🚨 The Frontline Challenge - (4 person group)
Mission: Carry 100lbs collectively for 12 miles
Rucks will be weighed before and after the challenge. Each team must retrieve a **rescue beacon** at the 6-mile mark and return to the starting point for a total of 12 miles. All team members must finish together. No time limit, this is about teamwork, not just about the clock. A 1st responder or military service member must be the team captain (Police Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics, Search & Rescue personnel, and Tow Operators included) - Civilians are allowed to be on teams.
🦅 The Freedom Walk
Mission: a fun, relaxed version of our Ruff Ruck course.
- NO time limit
- NO running required
- NO mileage requirement
- NO ruck sack necessary
It's your personal best challenge! Walk at your own pace, enjoy the course, and be part of the event without the stress of something strenuous. Bring your friends, family, and enjoy a great day out with us
Your Journey Matters:
Leading up to the event, each participant is encouraged to document their preparation journey on their personal page. Share your story, inspire others, and amplify the cause. Together, we can create a ripple of awareness and support that reverberates across communities!
🐕 Why Participate?
Your involvement in the RUFF RUCK is not just a walk. It's a statement, a commitment, and a step towards ensuring our veterans receive the support they deserve. Every stride you take and every dollar you raise will play a pivotal role in transforming a life.
Come, step forward, and make a difference! Your walk can be the start of a beautiful partnership between a veteran and their loyal service dog.
For a veteran or first responder, a service dog is not just a pet – it's a lifeline. Let's come together to weave stories of hope, love, and companionship.
Keep an eye on this event page for more opportunities to support and sponsor RUFF RUCK 2025!
Here is the link to our official Donation Page! Each invitation you extend amplifies our power to make a difference. We urge you to spread this link far and wide – the more friends you introduce, the brighter our beacon of hope shines!
https://pages.donately.com/theruffruckchallenge/campaign/ruff-ruck-challenge-2025/top-fundraisers
This is our streamlined gateway to graciously accept your generous support both before and on the event day. We've set the wheels in motion, and with your backing, the sky's the limit! Let's harness the energy and create waves of change even before the curtain rises on our event.