I knew that I had to save my spot when I saw that GORUCK was hosting a weekend of women-only Badass Babes rucking events in San Diego, California. The three events GORUCK hosted were exclusive to women and brought together ladies from around the country to participate. It was my first taste of a GORUCK event and I'll be back for more patches!
If you're not familiar with GORUCK, it's the company that created the official ruckpack, a backpack specifically designed to carry weighted plates for an added challenge while exercising. The company doesn't just create great products, they host epic events too.
GORUCK events are a great place to meet and team up with other individuals looking for community, exercise, and fun. These rucking events are open to anyone willing and ready to accept the challenge. Events are designed across a range of difficulty levels, from light to heavy. Difficulty is increased with weight, time, and distance.
GORUCK events test and build team and leadership skills, combining physical training and community with a military twist. Many veterans and active duty servicewomen and men participate in GORUCK events, and they're an opportunity for their friends, family, and civilians to get a taste of military-style training.
Events take the teams along a rucking route with stops along the way to perform fitness and team building exercises. GORUCK event organizers and local ruck clubs design these events to include local parks, iconic locations, and great views. Some events have a special purpose or inspiration, too.
Here's what to expect when you sign up for a GORUCK event. Let us know in the comments if you've completed one!
What to expect when you arrive at a GORUCK event
Arrive early, ahead of the GORUCK event start time so you don't get the group in trouble for being late! The event Cadre will call everyone into formation when they're getting ready to start. Get in line with the other event participants as the Cadre performs roll call.
Afterwards, they will run through the checklist of required items, and ask that you hold each one up as they call it off. You must bring the required items listed for your specific event, which you'll find on the GORUCK website. For most events, you should be prepared to have the items listed below.
What you need to bring to GORUCK events
Ruck plate: Minimum of 10-20 lbs for those weighing under 150 lbs, and 20-30 lbs for those over 150 lbs. Check the event details for specified weight.
Water: Bring a minimum of 3L. A hydration bladder with a drinking tube (rather than a water bottle) is highly recommended so you can hydrate while you ruck.
Photo ID
Gloves
Bring any medication you might need, and first aid supplies
Some events require that you bring your phone
Prepare to carry heavy items while rucking
Teams will be formed among the event's participants. You'll want to do everything you can to support your team in all the fitness events and in carrying your team's gear to the next stopping point.
During the ruck, your team will be required to carry weight in the form of sandbags, sand kettlebells, water canteens, flags and more. It will be up to the team to coordinate handing off the items to other teammates to carry while continuing to ruck along the path. Gloves are highly recommended so you can get a tight grip on the heavy items without tearing up your hands.
Be ready to carry a sandbag on your shoulders and team up with others to carry large and heavy supplies.
Be sure to bring a water bladder in your rucksack to sip on while you walk, instead of a water bottle that you would need to reach into your bag for.
There are different types of GORUCK events
There are different types of GORUCK events to choose from so you can match your level of fitness and experience. Make sure you read the details of the event and you know which version you're signing up for! The shortest 'light' events are 3-4 hours while the expert level are 24 hours, or even 48 hours long!
GORUCK Light Events
GORUCK Light events are a good starting point for women interested in getting introduced to the GORUCK community. The minimum weight is 10 lbs if you weigh are under 150 lbs, and 20 lbs if you are over 150 lbs. The ruck will cover around three miles, and it's likely that there will be other first-timers attending.
GORUCK Light events: 10 lb ruck plate for 150 lbs or under, 20 lb ruck plate if you're over 150 lbs
GORUCK Basic Events
GORUCK Basic events last 4-5 hours and take the group rucking for 7-10 miles. Participants wear 20-lb plates if they're under 150 lbs and 30-lb weights if they're over 150 lbs.
GORUCK City Rucks and Scavenger Hunts
GORUCK city rucks and scavenger hunt events send teams racing around an area, crossing off scavenger hunt checklist items while wearing their ruckpacks. You may be required to take photos, find information, and use your phone for navigation. The city rucks are a great way to meet others in your local community.
GORUCK Tough Events
GORUCK Tough events are created for those who have been training with a ruck and sandbag and are ready to put their endurance to the test. It's recommended to try a light or basic event before participating in a Tough. These rucking events are 10-12 hours long, and require a 20-lb ruck plate for those under 150 lbs and a 30-lb ruck plate for those over 150 lbs.
GORUCK Heavy Events
GORUCK Heavy events are some of the most extreme of all of the GORUCK event types (some people even stack 2-3 events on top of each other!). These events last 24 hours and will take participants 40+ miles. You must prepare and train well before enrolling in one of these rucking events, which will push you to your limit mentally and physically.
GORUCK Tactical events provide participants with tactical survival training they can utilize in real life. Instruction is provided by decorated combat veterans of special operations who act as the event Cadre. They have vast experience teaching students for both warfare and civilian survival. Your Cadre will make sure that after completing the event, you'll have learned and honed tactical skills for survival and safety.
Complete a GORUCK event and earn a patch
At the end of the event you're presented with a well-earned GORUCK patch. Many events also provide participants with a beer. Everyone will want to gather for group photos, of course, and connect with new friends on social media.
How to find a GORUCK event
Visit the GORUCK website where you'll find the events page. Here you can search for a local GORUCK event in your area or browse an extensive list to get ideas for where you can travel and meet others who love to ruck from around the country.
Where can I find my GORUCK community?
GORUCK hosts events all over the country and has over 10,000 of them in the books. The frequency and span is incredible, making the events available to people from a variety of different states and neighborhoods. Search the GORUCK website to browse events.
Occasionally GORUCK sponsors Badass Babes rucking events exclusive to women. Take note of the name of the ruck club hosting GORUCK events, and research other events of theirs.
There are lots of other specialized GORUCK events to choose from, so check them out!
Read more about rucking: What To Know About Rucking and The Benefits of this Gritty Exercise
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