MOTF is now Virtual due to COVID-19
Please be on the lookout for an announcement from the MOTF Committee about our event the week of 17 August 2020.
MOTF 10.3.2020 - Verrado, AZ, USA
The March of the Fallen (MOTF) is a 4.5 mile ruck dedicated to honoring our fallen brothers & sisters who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the war efforts of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation New Dawn (OND), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), and Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS). Their watch is over now so we carry their weight upon our backs and continue onward in their honor.
March of the Fallen 2020 Information
- Participants can “Ruck” or “Hike” but each person holds an obligation
- Rucker registration fee: $40 Military Active Duty/Retired and/or 1st Responders, $45 Civilian
- 6 Person Litter Team Competition: $200
- Need to provide your own litter with 150lb + each person w/45lb ruck
- Some litters may be available on the day of the event
- During the ruck, the team will have a special Mogadishu Mile event in addition without any weight
- Hiker 17yrs and up registration fee: $20 (will get race bib)
- Hiker 16 years and younger registration fee: Free unless you want race bib ($5 if you would like a commemorative MOTF race bib)
- Children and others are more than welcome to join in free but will not receive any swag unless they register as a hiker (hiker 16 and younger)
- T-shirts, coins, and patches will be for sale while supplies last at the day of the event
MOTF Food Non-Perishable Food Drive: We are also accepting donations of canned/non-perishable foods for a local food bank. So please pack some food in your ruck to make up some weight and help a local food bank. Food collection will be after you ruck at the start/finish line area and donated to affcb.org- Additional donations are appreciated! Not only is this to remember our fallen and wounded in action but to donate to worthy cause of those who signed the unlimited liability check to go into harm’s way next thru the Luke Airman’s Fund
- People rucking will be tasked with carrying the weight on their back as our fallen once did
- You must provide your own ruck and weight for the march
- Each rucksack will be weighed pre-march
- **NEW** The weight categories are: 45lbs and Heavyweight (>45#)
- **NEW** There are three age categories, 17-39yrs, 40-54yrs, 55 and older
- “Hiker” can accompany the marchers side by side to encourage, and help participants march the required distance
- The official distinguished MOTF 2020 T-Shirt will be issued to you prior to the ruck start and all weight bearing participants will receive a commemorative Military Challenge Coin.
- Tactical Velcro patches may also be available for sale
- ALL Verrado net proceeds will be donated to the Luke AFB Airmen’s Fund and Knights of Heroes, which are charitable organizations that further help our nation’s families of fallen service members!
- Volunteer are welcome to join and must be at Verrado by 0600
Verrado Schedule – 3 October 2020 – 0800-0830 Start
0600 – Show time for Volunteers to setup
0700 – Weigh-in/Check-in – Categories 45lbs, Heavyweight
0745 – Kick Off/Motivator
0800 – Litter team brief and start 5 min intervals
0830 – Rucker Start in weight category with heaviest 1st
Each weight category will begin 5 min. apart.
TBD – Participants will need to weigh out their rucks and earn their T-shirt & Challenge Coin
TBD – FINISH! – MOTF presentation
TBD – Closing comments from MOTF committee
1800-2000 – Post-race dinner – join us after the ruck at the Haymaker Restaurant at 1800 N Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85395 for a FREE buffet style dinner! All you need to do is bring your race bib as proof of participation!
Last year we raised the following amounts and distributed to the following amazing charities:
$2000
Knights of Heroes
$2500
Luke Airman's Fund
$4500
2019 Total
If you cannot make the event but wish to make a donation, please click the donate button below. All participants who wish to participate in MOTF 2020 please register below.
Donate to MOTF
Register
Registration Fee & Swag
Global Participants Swag will be mailed after the Verrado event has taken place.
Official 2020 MOTF Military Challenge Coin, free to all those carrying rucks as the finishers medal.
Ruck registration includes an official MOTF t-shirt! RMO presented as a trophy. Patch ($5) and RMO ($10) available for sale for non-ruckers.
FREE for volunteers. If you want to volunteer please e-mail POC listed below to be added to the volunteer list.
If you are Military Grade E-4 or below and cannot afford to register, don’t worry! You can register to be added to a waiting list for sponsored participants however we cannot guarantee a spot for you.
MOTF CONTACTS
Tyler Hayes – [email protected] (General Questions)
Josh Abel – [email protected] (Online Registration)
Alan McMurry – [email protected] (Founder)
VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS
Verrado Volunteer Coordinator – MOTF Committee (see above)
MOTF 2020 Registration Form
Virtual event information will be available soon.
Why 4.5 miles and 45# minimum weight?
When this ruck was founded by then Senior Airman Alan McMurray the number of casualties converted into meters equaled 4.2miles. However, for the 2014 MOTF he rounded this off to 4.5 miles on the route. However, each year the causualties increse. According to Defense.gov and as of 13 Jan 2020, America lost 7,033 men and women military and civilian contractors during OIF, OND, OEF, OIR, and OFS. Also not to be forgotten are the wounded, for when that happens a piece of them will always be left behind. It’s a staggering number of 53,085 that have been wounded in action and we will make sure their sacrifice will also not be forgotten.
The 45 lb minimum weight is approximately the minimum weight one must carry while deployed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of pack should I use to carry the weight?
A: Any pack that has a frame and a kidney strap to distribute the weight on your hips and shoulders. For example, an Alice pack or hiking pack.
Q: What should I use for weight?
A: Non Perishable foods such as rice, beans etc. then you can donate at the end to the food drive for the local food bank. Otherwise Sand is a great source of weight, it’s cheap and conforms to your pack. Canned and other foods items work well too and can be donated to the food drive after the ruck.
Q:What kind of footwear should I use?
A: It is recommended that you wear broken in boots because it will help stabilize your ankle while rucking on uneven terrain.
Q:What is the purpose of this event?
A: 1. To honor our brothers and sister in arm who have given their lives in OEF, OIF, OND.
2. To benefit the WWP and Luke Airmans Fund.
3. To give the participants a challenging and humbling experience.
Q:What should I wear?
A: If participating in Litter Team event we highly recommend gloves such as mechanics or tactical gloves to protect hands.
A: We recommend that the participants keep in mind that we will be in the desert and anything to keep you cool and protected from the sun would be HIGHLY recommended. i.e. hats, sunblock, sunglasses, t-shirts ( no sleeveless shirts ), etc
Q: Will there be parking?
A: YES -See maps above.
Q: Do I need to train for this event or how do I prepare for this event?
A: In the past, we have had participants from a variety of fitness backgrounds and all of them have been able to complete this event. However, training prevents injury and there is no better way to train for rucking, than by simply rucking.
“Be at ease for your watch is over, now proudly we carry your weight, onward into the unknown, we march for our fallen.”
Verrado Location & Parking
Verrado Golf Club – 4242 N Golf Dr. Buckeye, AZ 85396
MOTF 2018 at Wright-Patterson AFB
