Three GORUCK team endurance events honoring fallen firefighters. Oct 15-17, 2027, Austin, TX
Every year, Texas loses firefighters to the line of duty, cancer, suicide, and other circumstances. Carry to Honor brings us together to carry their names and their stories, and to build a stronger firefighter community in the process.
How we got here
Eric and Juan have worked together at multiple departments, went through the same Austin Fire Department academy class, and later served together as Team Leaders for an Austin academy cadet class. When they both applied to Austin, Eric was doing GORUCK events regularly, so he made Juan a deal: if they both got hired, Juan would do a GORUCK event with him. Six years later, Juan made good on that promise, completing his first GORUCK event alongside Eric: the 9/11 Heavy in NYC for the 25th anniversary. Somewhere along those miles, the idea was born: bring this experience home to our fellow firefighters, and use it to honor the ones we've lost.The event
On October 15-17, 2027, in the Austin area, we're hosting three back-to-back GORUCK events: a 24-hour Heavy, a 12-hour Tough, and a 5-hour Basic. Each one is led by Special Operations cadre who push you past the limits you thought you had. Expect miles under your ruck, heavy coupons like sandbags and hose bundles, firefighter-specific evolutions, and hero WODs honoring the fallen.It's a team event, not a race. You'll start as strangers and finish as a team.
THE TEAM
Eric
Raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, he has always had service at the center of his life. From 2009 to 2012, he served in the Peace Corps, teaching high school English in the Philippines. He has spent 11 years in the fire service, working for Leander and Jollyville Fire Departments before joining Austin Fire Department. Eric has been doing GORUCK events for about 9 years. Highlights include the 9/11 Heavy in Austin in 2018, the Omaha Beach Tough in Normandy for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, and three 50-milers. He's passionate about travel and experiencing new cultures. He's been a husband for 5 years and loves being a girl dad.
Juan
A lifelong Austin native, Juan served six years in the Texas Army National Guard as an 11B Infantryman and has spent 10 years in the fire service. He now serves with Austin Fire Department and is a fire service instructor, helping develop and mentor the next generation of firefighters. His passion for raising the standard led him to create Box Alarm Ready, a firefighter training organization built around fitness, accountability, and preparing for the demands of the job. Outside the firehouse, he enjoys running, rucking, and challenging gear workouts. To him, fitness is about being ready when others are depending on you. Above all, Juan's greatest roles are husband and father of three.
Joshua
Born and raised in Southern California, Joshua enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2010 and served as a Fire Protection Specialist until 2019, reaching the rank of E-6. After separating, he worked as a Firefighter/Driver Operator for the Department of Defense. In 2021, he relocated to Texas and joined the City of Live Oak Fire Department. He now serves as a Firefighter/EMT with the City of New Braunfels and is currently in paramedic school. Known for his grueling workouts, often done in full gear, Joshua takes pride in holding himself to a higher standard. He's a husband of 13 years and a proud father of two.Together, we're building mental fortitude and resilience in our fellow firefighters while honoring the ones we've lost.
WHY WE CARRY
Every year, Texas loses firefighters to line-of-duty deaths, cancer, suicide, and other circumstances. Too often, we gather for a funeral, then go back to our stations and carry that weight alone.Carry to Honor was built to change that. Over three days of GORUCK events, we come together to honor the firefighters we've lost and to strengthen the ones still serving.Our events are led by Special Operations veteran cadre who specialize in pushing you past the limits you've set for yourself. You'll find out that "I can't" usually means "I haven't yet." That discovery builds the mental fortitude and resilience firefighters need on the job and off it.Shared suffering builds bonds unlike anything else. When you carry heavy things through the night with the person beside you, you leave with more than a patch. You leave with people you can lean on. Our goal is a stronger firefighter community, mentally and physically, built one shared challenge at a time.
HOW WE HONOR
Every participant carries someone. Each person selects a fallen firefighter to honor and carries their name, photo, and bio throughout the event.Hose bundles. We work with participating departments to carry hose bundles for selected fallen firefighters, so their weight is carried by the whole team.Hero WODs. Selected firefighters are honored with a dedicated hero workout.Their stories. Before or after each hero WOD, a firefighter from their department shares who they were. That way, we learn about their lives and the contributions they made, not just how we lost them.Who Should I Honor? Choose a firefighter who has passed and who means something to you: a crew member, a friend, a mentor, or family. If you don't personally know a fallen firefighter, you can choose someone from your local department or from a central Texas fire department. You'll tell us who you're honoring when you register.Everyone Is Welcome. You don't have to be a firefighter to carry with us. Family, friends, other first responders, military members, veterans, and anyone who wants to honor those who served are welcome.
EVENT INFO
What a Typical Event Looks Like
A team event, not a race. You start together, move together, and finish together. No one gets left behind.Led by Special Operations cadre. They choose the route, the distance, and the challenges, and they push you past the limits you thought you had. You won't know what's coming next.Heavy carries. Expect miles under your ruck, plus "coupons": sandbags, hose bundles, and anything else the cadre decides the team should carry.What makes Carry to Honor different. Throughout each event, we'll stop to honor fallen firefighters with hero WODs: workouts dedicated to a specific firefighter, followed by their story from a member of their department. We'll also take on firefighter-specific evolutions like hose drags, tower climbs, sledgehammer strikes, and dummy drags. Our firefighters will show everyone how they're done.
SCHEDULE
Heavy: Thursday, Oct 15, 4:00 PM
Tough: Friday, Oct 16, 8:00 PM
Basic: Saturday, Oct 17, 12:00 PMThese are estimated start times. Exact start times TBD. Approximately 4 hours between events.Location: Austin, Texas area. The exact location is TBD and will be announced to registered participants as soon as it's confirmed.
PACKING LIST
Required:Ruck (Rucker recommended). Must have reflectivity.Ruck plate (or equivalent): 30 lb if you weigh over 150 lb, 20 lb if you weigh under 150 lb.Water/hydration: 4L minimum. A bladder plus a Nalgene is recommended.Dry bag (or equivalent, like a contractor bag) to keep everything in your ruck dry.Windbreaker or waterproof jacket. You will get wet, and you'll want to warm up. Check the weather and bring enough layers.HeadlampAny medication you may needPhoto IDRecommended:Working gloves (non-medical)Extra socksSupportive footwearFood, snacks, and electrolytes as neededAs a ClassOne 25 lb class weight and one American flag. If you're new to GORUCK, don't sweat it. If you've done an event before, help organize with your class.This packing list is tentative. Your cadre will confirm the final list before the event.
REGISTRATION
How to register
Fill out the registration form below.We'll email you with more information and payment instructions.Pricing
Heavy: $270
Tough: $150
Basic: $80
HTB (all 3 events): $475
Early bird HTB: $450 (limited to 8 spots or through Dec 31, 2026, whichever comes first)Who can register
You don't have to be a firefighter to participate. Everyone is welcome!Policies
Registration is non-refundable.
Registrations are transferable until 30 days before the event. Please notify us of any transfer.
FAQ
"What is rucking?"
Rucking is walking with weight on your back. These events are team challenges led by experienced instructors (cadre), not races.
Am I fit enough? What's the minimum fitness to start training?
The Basic is designed for a wide range of fitness levels. If you're active and willing to put in some training, you can do it. GORUCK's free daily workouts are a great way to prepare. The Tough, Heavy, and HTB demand serious physical and mental preparation, and the people who finish are the ones who put in the work beforehand. For those events, we recommend Joe Baker Fitness. He's well known in the GORUCK community, and he's who you train with if you want to set yourself up for success. We'll be partnering with Joe Baker Fitness, with more details coming in 2027. Whichever event you choose, join our local training meetups, which we'll announce in January 2027.What if I can't finish? Can I quit, and what happens if I do?
This is a team event. Everyone hits highs and lows, and when you're at your lowest, the people beside you are there to lift you up, just as you'll do for them. You'll be surprised how far a team can carry you. You can stop at any time; just let your cadre know first. The patch is earned, not given, so only those who complete the event receive it.Do I need GORUCK-brand gear?
Not to start rucking. But if you're doing an event, we recommend the GORUCK Rucker for its durability and how it is made to be used for workouts. GORUCK offers an Earned Service Discount through GOVX for those who serve, and you can often find used GORUCK gear on Facebook Marketplace and eBay.What footwear and clothing should I use?
Everyone's feet are different, so find what's comfortable for you over long distances under weight. Dialing in your footwear, socks, and foot care is one of the most important parts of preparing for long rucks.Do I have to be a firefighter?
No! Everyone is welcome, and we'd love to have people from all walks of life join us.Can I do all three events back to back?
Yes! In GORUCK, that's called an HTB. Along with each event's patch, you'll earn the coveted HTB bolts patch. An HTB is not for the faint of heart. It takes dedicated training and a strong mindset.How do I transfer my spot?
Email [email protected] and we'll walk you through the process.Are there local training meetups, and when?
In early January 2027, we'll announce local training meetups to help everyone prepare for the events.How does the training plan work?
We're partnering with Joe Baker Fitness to provide training plans built specifically for these events. Details are coming in 2027.Who do I contact with questions?
Email us at [email protected].What are the firefighter workouts like?
There are two kinds. Firefighter-specific evolutions are movements from the job, like hose drags, tower climbs, sledgehammer strikes, and dummy drags. Hero WODs are workouts dedicated to a fallen firefighter, often built around details of their life or service. Exact workouts are up to the cadre and stay a surprise until the event.Is rucking gear provided?
No. Everyone brings their own ruck, weight, and water. See the Packing List section on the Event Info page.How long does the event take? Are there stations?
There are no stations and no set course to finish early. It's one continuous team event, and your cadre leads the class from start to finish. Plan on the full time for each event, and possibly longer.