Tough Ruckers Traversed Bedford, Not Once but Twice

Passing the American Legion water station on the Reformatory Branch Trail at Hartwell Road ~ Image (c) JMcCT 2022 all rights reserved

On Saturday, April 16, more than 400 Massachusetts Tough Ruck marathoners began their 26.2-mile journey at Fenn School, crossed North Bridge, and traversed Bedford along the Reformatory Branch Trail and the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway on their way to Bow Street in Lexington. Once there, they reversed course for the trip back.

A fundraising mission to support Military Friends Foundation, a Boston 501(c)3 organization to honor fallen heroes and raise funds to support fallen military and first responders, aligned with the Boston Athletic Association to award Boston Marathon ribbons to each ‘Rucker’ who completed the full 26.2 miles.

The first finisher Andrew Mayne completed the course at 3:44:50. In all, more than $400,000 was raised.

At a Bedford water stop along the trail, Therese Stevens and Jon O’Connor promoted the 2022 American Legion initiative, 100 miles for hope. Both plan to ride in Battle Road Ruck and Ride on May 7

Bedford’s American Legion Riders, Chapter 221, plans its first fundraising “Battle Road Ruck and Ride”—a 14-mile ruck and a 50-mile motorcycle ride—on Saturday, May 7. .