The IM ABLE Foundation proudly marked the success of its inaugural Ruck & Roll event on Sunday, November 2, at Blue Marsh National Recreation Area. The event drew 88 participants, including 14 veterans and 8 athletes with disabilities, for a day focused on movement, challenge, and purpose.
Created as part of IM ABLE’s veteran-focused Operation Lead from the Front program, Ruck & Roll encouraged participants to test themselves physically while building relationships across diverse backgrounds and abilities. The event served as both a fitness challenge and a fundraiser, generating vital support for IM ABLE’s adaptive recreation and veteran engagement initiatives.
“Ruck & Roll wasn’t just about distance or speed, it was about people showing up for each other,” said IM ABLE Foundation CEO Alex A. Pilkington. “We saw veterans mentoring new athletes, adaptive riders inspiring the crowd, and families cheering together. That’s the community we strive to build every day.”
“The beautiful fall weather brought out so many smiling faces, and even a wave of last-minute registrations,” added Becky Rennix, IM ABLE’s Program Director. “It was incredible to see people jumping in, connecting, and challenging themselves alongside our veterans and athletes living with disabilities. The energy was contagious.”
Participants chose between two main activities. The rucking portion offered a military-inspired hike where individuals could carry a weighted or unweighted pack while covering distances of 4.3, 8.6, or 13 miles, depending on their desired challenge level. Meanwhile, the rolling division featured adaptive athletes on handcycles and recumbent bikes navigating a scenic off-road course that stretched 3.5, 7.0, or 10.5 miles across varied terrain.
Army veteran and founder of GRIT Adventures, Jesse Tubb, served as co–race director for the event, overseeing communications and permitting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, course design, and race logistics. Drawing on his military background and passion for service, Tubb infused the event with a strong sense of camaraderie and purpose. His leadership ensured that every detail—from safety planning to participant engagement—reflected the resilience, teamwork, and community spirit that define both the veteran and adaptive sports communities, embodying the mission of IM ABLE’s Operation Lead from the Front program.
The event also featured a family-friendly Fall-Out Fest, complete with campfire, s’mores, autumn crafts, a chili cook-off, and opportunities for families to enjoy the trails around Blue Marsh.
As part of the day, IM ABLE introduced Operation Supply Drop, a new initiative supporting veterans and their families facing food insecurity. Participants collected non-perishable food donations, many incorporating them into their rucks as a symbol of carrying weight for others.
Funds raised from Ruck & Roll will directly benefit IM ABLE Foundation’s mission to create opportunities for veterans and individuals living with disabilities to participate in fitness and recreation through adaptive equipment grants and demo days, peer mentorship, and fitness programming.
For more information, event photos, or to get involved in next year’s Ruck & Roll, visit imablefoundation.org or email becky@imablefoundation.org
For more information about IM ABLE Foundation’s services, sponsorship, or to make a gift and fund programs that empower people with disabilities to live life to the fullest, please contact Director of Development Brian Sutherland at brian@imablefoundation.org or visit imablefoundation.org
