2015 Tough Ruck March returns to Minute Man National Historical Park

National Guard soldiers walk the Battle Road Trail.

NPS

News Release Date: March 23, 2015

Contact: Phil Lupsiewicz, 978-318-7833

When:
Saturday, April 18, 2015
7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

 Where:  
On the Battle Road Trail in Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Lincoln and Lexington

What:  
2015 Tough Ruck March at Minute Man National Historical Park

Hundreds of veterans and active military members will come together to honor and remember our fallen comrades while raising funds to support their families and service members in times of need. They are making the best of the news that they won’t be allowed to march along the Boston Marathon course with their rucksacks by mapping out a new travel route through an exclusive partnership with the National Park Service.

The new, stricter security guidelines set for the Boston Marathon – in response to the bombings – keeps “props… include sporting equipment and military and fire gear” from entering the marathon course. They will instead march along the Battle Road route where the original “Patriot’s Day” occurred on April 19, 1775 – the opening day of the American Revolution in Concord and Lexington.

The Tough Ruckers will leave from the North Bridge/Old Manse area at 7:00 a.m. and walk through Concord center to connect to the park’s five-mile Battle Road Trail. They will walk two circuits of the Battle Road Trail and then return to the North Bridge area. In total, this will equal the length of a marathon.   

One option for photogenic views of the Ruckers will occur between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the restored Battle Road in Lincoln. This area is easily accessible from the Hartwell Tavern Historical Area parking lot. For computer mapping location, use 105 North Great Road, Lincoln, MA.

 On April 15, 2013, Tough Ruck members were on the finish line of the Boston Marathon when the horrific bombings occurred. The Tough Ruck joined the first responders to aid those injured in the blasts and exemplified the best of what our military has to offer. Over the past year, thousands of military personnel have contacted them to join the Ruck and to support the Tough Ruck project.

 For more information about  Minute Man National Historical Park visit https://www.nps.gov/mima or call 978-369-6993.

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