Heavy Challenge: Pittsburgh, PA (30th Anniversary) 10/06/2023 18:00
October 6th, 2023 @ 6:00pm EST
Mogadishu Mile
"We all came to peace with it -- if I die here, I die here. But I'm not going to let it happen to the guys around me. That's what it became about. We weren't fighting for the flag, or the nation or freedom. I wasn't even thinking about my family. All I thought about was that I wasn't going to let anything happen to the guy on my left and the guy on my right."
– U.S. Army Ranger Keni Thomas, Task Force Ranger
Commemorate 30 years since the battle in Somalia that resulted in the ultimate sacrifice of 18 U.S. servicemen, including two Delta Force snipers who were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. This Challenge honors the men of Task Force Ranger (3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta; and 10th Mountain Division) their courage and sacrifice on 3/4 October 1993 to achieve mission success, albeit at great cost. Expect a history lesson and a timeline re-enactment of the mission that inspired Black Hawk Down.
24+ HOURS, 40+ MILES. THE ULTIMATE TEAM EVENT. AVERAGE COMPLETION RATE: 50%
WHAT TO BRING
- A rucksack aka backpack (Rucker recommended)
- Ruck Plate = to your weight requirement
- If you weigh >150 lbs = 30 lb. Ruck Plate (or equivalent)
- If you weigh < 150 lbs = 20 lb. Ruck Plate (or equivalent)
- Hydration Bladder: Source 3L (bringing 1 is mandatory, 2 is recommended)
- Nalgene bottle (1L) or equivalent (electrolytes recommended)
- Participants must also bring Oral Rehydration Salts (or comparable) in case water resupply is harder
- Reflective Ruck Bands (or equivalent) on your ruck
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- First Aid Kit
- Face Mask (Optional)
- Gloves (1 pair) Not medical gloves, working gloves
- Hand Sanitizer/Wipes - 1 bottle Purell, 1 package of baby wipes (or equivalent)
- One (1) Climbing Carabiner
- Windbreaker
- Dry Bag (or equivalent, such as a contractor bag) with a change of clothes. If you’re really cold, you’ll be really glad you have this. Be sure to bring one (1) pair of extra socks. You’ll carry this Dry Bag in your ruck.
- Boots (MACV-1 Boots) are recommended over sneakers, based on the support you need over all the miles and all the weight. Under no circumstances should you wear Gore-Tex or other “waterproof” boots or socks.
- Food aka lickies and chewies. Just don’t bring the whole Thanksgiving feast, it’s only 24+ hours.
- Photo ID and $20 cash just in case
- As a class, you need one (1) 50 lb. class weight and one American Flag. No wheels will be attached to the team weight and it must be in compliance with Special Forces Rule #1: Always Look Cool. Use your event’s Facebook page to meet your class, organize training, and coordinate team weight details.
- Flip-flops (not required) - upon completion of a GORUCK Heavy, it’s one of the seven great feelings in the world to take your shoes and socks off and put flip flops on. It also makes the hell-yeah-I-earned-my-patch beer taste even better.
TRAINING FOR YOUR EVENT
- SRT Training Program
- So you signed up - now what? Join us for daily workouts written by Cadre DS that are simple, but not easy. All you need is a ruck or sandbag. The SRT programming will get you ready. And your first week is free!
- Check out our RUCK CLUB map to find people to train with
EVENT CANCELLATION POLICY
- Refunds are permitted for this event if requested at least 30 days prior to the event date.
- For the full Event Participant Policies please view our FAQ page.
GOT QUESTIONS?
- Visit our searchable FAQ for answers
- Contact us if you still need help
Cadre L DB
Army Special Operations
Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq
After completing over 20 years in Special Operations, this California kid decided to put down roots in the South even picking up on the local colloquialism of y’all and fix’n. However, not to stray too far from his Mexi-Cali heritage, LDB does enjoy the occasional Margarita (or 2, or 3), and ordering Taco Bell in Spanish.
Cadre Barbarossa
Army Special Operations
Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, Iraq
Barbarossa (red beard) retired out of 5th Special Forces Group after 21 years of service. All of his 18 years in Special Forces was at 5th, with the exception of 3 years as cadre at Special Forces Assessment & Selection helping build future Green Berets. He currently lives in Savannah with his family, sharpening his cocktail making skills on a daily basis.
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