RUCKTOBER2026
OCTOBER 1–31 · ORANGE COUNTY, CA31 DAYS. 30 RUCKS. ONE INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY.

OCTOBER 2026 · MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

What a finish.
Thank you.

From my family, YMCA of Orange County, and our extended Big Thunder Spirit family, THANK YOU!

Rucktober has always been my annual personal challenge, a chance to reflect on my Marine Corps service and keep this body moving under weight. This year, we put those miles toward something more: helping families through YMCA’s Annual Campaign scholarship fund, including Adventure Guides.

My $126.84 match is submitted! Let’s crush the pledges. You can still donate through Thanksgiving weekend, just no more suffering match on my part.

Fulfill your pledgeSee the final results
Why this distance?

It’s a nod to October 31, 10/31, the deadline for my annual challenge.

Nick carrying his daughter on his shoulders and a ruck on his back, with his other daughter walking ahead.
Last year’s Rucktober, with company.Ruck + daughter: 113 lb combined.

AND THAT’S A CANDY WRAPPER!

115.31 miles. Boots off.

We closed out Halloween with a final 2.92-mile ruck in the rain. Wet gear is heavy gear, but a shiny Garmin Halloween badge made a pretty good finish.

Thirty rucks, 12.21 miles beyond the goal, and one very tired set of shoulders. My pain. Their gain.

WHAT YOU MADE POSSIBLE

Supporter pledges
…
My match, donated
$126.84
Pledges + my donation
…

Thank you to all 23 pledgesters. My match is donated. Supporter pledges are shown as commitments, not a verified collection total.

Give directly to YMCA

THE CHALLENGE

The final tally.

View the ruck log
THE MILESLoading progress…
…/ 103.1 mi
Loading…Finish by October 31.
…October rucks
…miles to go
…miles / day needed
50 lb to start. +5 lb each week.
Rucking is walking with a weighted pack.
See the weekly ruck weights
  1. Oct 1–750 lb
  2. Oct 8–1455 lb
  3. Oct 15–2160 lb
  4. Oct 22–2865 lb
  5. Oct 29–3170 lb
THE GOOD IT COULD DO
The pledge thermometerHonor pledges are loading.GOAL

…

pledged if I finish

$1,031.00original goal
…pledged per mile
…honor pledges
Loading pledges…

Every pledge helps more families get outdoors.

The thermometer tracks honor pledges, payable only if I finish. Donations go directly to YMCA. Nick’s personal bonus is separate.

WHY I RUCK

More time together.
More families included.

I’m Nick, a retired infantry Marine and proud dad of two daughters in the Big Thunder Spirit Expedition with the AraAppaloosa Circle.

Since 2020, I’ve taken on this same Rucktober challenge every October. It’s time to reflect on my Marine Corps service, honor those who came before me, and keep myself able to move under weight.

This year, I put that personal challenge toward helping dads and their daughters and sons make memories outdoors, even when money is tight.

All in. Pride on the line.

I want to finish because your pledges can help YMCA of Orange County open those adventures to more families. That’s what I’m putting in the miles for.

If I fall short, you owe nothing. I’m the one taking a dent in the pride armor, and yes, that part is real.

SUPPORTING

YMCA of Orange County

YMCA of Orange County is a nonprofit supporting youth, families, healthy living, and community connection.

Meet YMCA of Orange County

What is Adventure Guides?

Adventure Guides brings dads and their children together for campouts, hikes, community service, and monthly gatherings, building closer relationships through shared adventures.

Explore Adventure Guides
Big Thunder Spirit emblem
OUR ADVENTURE GUIDES COMMUNITYBig Thunder Spirit ExpeditionAraAppaloosa Circle

Where your donation goes

Donations through the YMCA’s Annual Campaign support scholarship assistance for Adventure Guides families in the 2026-2027 season as well as many other YMCA programs in support of their goal that no family is denied access to YMCA programs due to financial hardships. The YMCA determines eligibility, distributes the assistance, and protects each family’s privacy. 100% of donated funds go to the scholarship pool.

MY MATCH IS IN. LET’S CRUSH THE PLEDGES.

Turn your pledge into a gift.

Fulfill your October pledge or make a new gift through Thanksgiving weekend, November 29.

See the Honor Roll
  1. Use your original amount.Your per-mile rate × 103.1 miles, rounded to the nearest cent, or the flat amount you pledged.
  2. Open YMCA’s donation form.Enter that total in “Other amount” on the Rucktober campaign form.
  3. Give directly to YMCA.Complete your donation there and keep the receipt. Nothing was charged when you pledged here.

FOR OUR OCTOBER PLEDGESTERS

You backed the miles. Thank you.

The 103.1-mile finish condition was met on October 27. The extra 12.21 miles do not increase what you pledged.

For example, 10¢ per mile$10.31 total

Flat pledges stay at the amount you chose. If you have already donated through YMCA, thank you, there is no need to give again.

Fulfill your pledge with YMCA

Need your exact pledge amount? Contact Nick. No money is collected or held on this site.

DONATIONS ARE STILL WELCOME

There’s still time to help a family.

Missed October’s pledge window? Donations are welcome through Thanksgiving weekend, November 29. Give any amount to YMCA of Orange County’s Annual Campaign scholarship fund, including assistance for Adventure Guides families.

The campaign form:
Rucktober for Adventure Guides 2027 Annual Campaign

Make a direct donation

My October match is finished and submitted. New gifts do not unlock any more matching or suffering on my part. YMCA receives your donation and provides the receipt.

THE PEOPLE BACKING THE MILES

The Honor Roll

Loading pledges…

These pledges back a completed challenge. Supporters choose to share their name or remain anonymous. Messages of encouragement appear after review.

BOOTS ON THE GROUND

The ruck log

Garmin evidence

I log each distance from Garmin and review route screenshots for privacy before sharing. No live location is shown. Read the Double Ruck Saturday story.

Every October mile is in the books. Per-mile pledges remain capped at 103.1 miles. The extra miles increased my personal match, which is now submitted.

Fulfill your pledge

SEE YOU IN 2027

More miles. More company.

For now, the boots get a break. I’m looking forward to exploring how more Adventure Guides families and circles can join next year.

Talk with Nick about next year