A race with a rucksack would be a challenge to most of us — but it’s also something military men and women do as part of their job serving our country. To show its support of the U.S. military, Albemarle Foundation will sponsor the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon this November in its Half-Marathon Rucking Division.
“Albemarle Foundation is very proud to support military initiatives,” says Sandra Holub of Albemarle Foundation. Sponsoring military initiatives that assist families and military service men and women is part of Albemarle Foundation’s pledge to make communities more prosperous, healthy, and vibrant by “Growing the Good.”
The Rucking Division of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon began in the 2017 half-marathon, which was run on Veterans Day. The ruck marching division was a first for a big-city marathon — marching 13.1 miles carrying a weighted pack on a participant’s back.
Rucking is the foundation of military training. It also provides a shared experience and camaraderie for anyone who has ever trained as a member of our military, and their supporters and families.
As part of its sponsorship, Albemarle Foundation will provide its booth at the Health & Wellness Expo on Friday, November 15, for the GORUCK Team to share its mission and raise awareness. They are also providing their tent at the Charlotte Marathon’s start/finish line as an official weigh-in station for Rucking Division participants, and sponsoring at least 10 GORUCK Team members’ entries into the race. Each GORUCK finisher will also earn a special patch with the Albemarle Foundation logo incorporated into the design.
Albemarle Foundation will also pay entry fees for any Albemarle employees who want to participate in the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, as part of its commitment to community health and wellness.
“Sponsorship of the Rucking Division is a unique and super way to educate, train, and truly appreciate the heroes of our nation for what they do each and every day for our freedom and safety,” adds Holub.
Albemarle Foundation provides direct funding to local 501(c)(3) organizations engaged in at least one of these areas: education, social and health services, or cultural resources. To date, Albemarle Foundation has granted over $33 million to its communities. Learn more about them and their mission here.