Basic Challenge -Sandy Hook Memorial- Sandy Hook, CT 12/6/2025

GORUCK BASIC CHALLENGE 
NOT TOO LIGHT, NOT TOO TOUGH

• 4-5 Hours - Our kind of fun with rucks on
• Always a Team Event, Never a Race
• Led by current and former Special Forces

The GORUCK Challenge is our flagship and original team building event - we’ve led over 10,000 since 2010. At your Basic, you’ll have some team building fun organized by your Cadre. You will stay with your class from start to finish, you’ll ruck some miles and really get to know the other participants as you become a team. This Basic Challenge is more rigorous than the Light, but still an introduction to our way of life and accessible to all who want to join a tight-knit community of ruckers all over the world and have fun doing it. We recommend some rucksack training prior — all who do are encouraged to show up. If the weight gets too heavy, your team is there to help.

When you successfully complete the Challenge, your Cadre will hand you a cold beer and a patch that will never be for sale.

Sandy Hook Memorial

"As a community, you've inspired us, Newtown. In the face of indescribable violence, in the face of unconscionable evil, you've looked out for each other, and you've cared for one another, and you've loved one another. This is how Newtown will be remembered. And with time, and God's grace, that love will see you through." – President Obama, 2012

Join the Cadre to honor, cherish, and preserve the memories of those twenty children and six adults who lost their lives on December 14, 2012. This event will be a tribute to them in a fun and meaningful way through some physically and mentally demanding work that will bring us closer together as friends, family, and a community. All net proceeds from this event will be donated to the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation.

WHAT TO BRING - REQUIRED

• A rucksack (Rucker recommended) - must have reflectivity
• Ruck Plate (or equivalent) in your rucksack = to your weight requirement
  • If you weigh >150 lbs = 30 lb. Ruck Plate
  • If you weigh < 150 lbs = 20 lb. Ruck Plate
  • Kids = water weight, books, etc. 
• Water/Hydration. 1L minimum required. Hydration Bladder and a Nalgene bottle recommended.
• Any medication you might need
• Photo ID
• Smiles

RECOMMENDED (BUT NOT REQUIRED) ITEMS

• Gloves (1 pair) Not medical gloves, working gloves
• Extra layers of clothing. Think: merino wool socks and a shell. Pay close attention to the weather — if it’s gonna be cold, make sure you have a windbreaker
• Dry Bag (or equivalent, such as a contractor bag) for keeping everything in your ruck dry.
• A full  change of clothes and shoes/flip-flops for after the event. Apres-Ruck is much nicer in flip-flops 
• Supportive footwear. GORUCK recommended because it’s the best for people who carry weight and live on their feet.
• Food, snacks, electrolytes as desired
• As a class, you need one (1) 25 lb. class weight and one American Flag. If you’re new to GORUCK, don’t sweat it. If you’ve done an event or ten, organize with your class — it must be in compliance with Special Forces Rule #1: Always Look Cool