Third Annual 10K Ruck Challenge
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ERICA TECHO
10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park
Runners carry 40 pound bags and vests at the 10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park.
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ERICA TECHO
10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park
Pandora prepares to run with her owner during the 10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park on Oct. 10, 2015.
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ERICA TECHO
10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park
The frontrunner in the 5K portion of the National Veterans Day 5K/10K at Veterans Park on Oct. 10, 2015.
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ERICA TECHO
10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park
Runners carry 40 pound bags and vests during the 10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park on Oct. 10, 2015.
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ERICA TECHO
10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park
At the 10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park, runners could choose to carry a weighted backpack or vest, or to go without.
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ERICA TECHO
10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park
The first runner completed the 5K portion of the 10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park in under 20 minutes.
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ERICA TECHO
10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park
Blue Star Salute of Alabama attended the 10K Ruck Challenge at Veterans Park on Oct. 10, 2015.
Some runners took on a 10K with an extra 40 pounds this weekend.
As part of the Third Annual 10K Ruck Challenge hosted by National Veterans Day, runners had the option to carry a weighted ruck with them on Saturday, Oct. 10. Men carried 40 pound rucks, and women carried 25 pound rucks. While not all runners opted to tote the extra weight, around 100 runners chose to participate in a 5K or 10K run.
Proceeds from the event benefitted veteran charities in the area. Mark Ryan, president of National Veterans Day of Birmingham, said he was happy to see how many people came to the event and he hopes to continue to grow the event each year.
"This is just the third year putting it on, so we're still growing," Ryan said.
Ryan said they will oftentimes have walk-ups to the 10K, where people will decide to donate and run at the last minute.
Several volunteers were also at the event, including Melvin Shinholster with Blue Star Salute of Alabama. He stood by a sign memorializing the 208 Alabama service members who have died since Sept. 11, 2001. Their pictures are the faces of the fight for freedom, Shinholster said.
"Our job is to make sure we educate the community," Shinholster said.
Blue Star Salute of Alabama attends all deployment ceremonies in Alabama and goes to any event they are invited. They work to inform the community about what servicemen and women do and how they can help.
For more information about National Veterans Day of Birmingham, visit nationalveteransday.org.
