13 for the 13: Veterans Day Challenge

How It Works

• Register & Donate: Sign up with a $20 donation. 1 patch per registration. If you want multiple patches, please have each participant/patch recipient register individually - this greatly helps with ordering/shipping logistics.
• Cover 13 Miles: Ruck, run, walk, or bike your miles any time in November;
  • All at once, or spread across the month at your own pace; OR
  • Join us at one of our planned meet ups (see below); OR
  • Complete a Freedom Ops GTE event or Sugar Rush Relay Event
• Carry the Flag: (Optional) Solo or shared within your group.
• Read the Meaning of the Folds: (Optional) One fold at every mile. We email you the printable list when you register, so you know exactly who you are carrying it for.
• Send Us a Photo: Email one picture of you out there to photos@operationpatriotpacks.org

Participants may modify as necessary to complete the 13 miles. The point is participation and raising awareness for our Veterans.

Planned Meet Ups

Optional. Do your 13 anywhere you want, or show up at one of these and go with other people.

Everyone is welcome at every site. These are F3 AOs, and F3 beatdowns are men only. This is not a beatdown. This one is open to all.

Every time listed below is a step off time, not a meet up time. We step off sharp. Get there early enough to park, gear up, and be standing on the X when we go.

If you join a meet up, expect an 18 minute per mile pace and bring your own water. We recommend at least one liter per 6 miles.

November 7 · The Rocket

The Rocket, the F3 AO at 15300 University Blvd, Sugar Land, TX - Apple Maps | Google Maps

Step off 4:30 AM sharp. We cover 6 miles toward the challenge and are back in time for the 6:30 beatdown.

November 7 · The Bokey

The Bokey, the F3 AO at 221 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL - Apple Maps | Google Maps

Step off 3:30 AM sharp. This group covers all 13 miles in one go.

November 14 · Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake, the F3 AO at 21555 Lakemont Bend Ln, Richmond, TX - Apple Maps | Google Maps. Meet in the parking lot of Creekside Park.

Step off 3:30 AM sharp. We cover 6 miles toward the challenge and are back in time for the 5:30 beatdown.

November 21 · Phoenix Rising

Phoenix Rising, the F3 AO at 1700 Glenn Lakes Ln, Missouri City, TX - Apple Maps | Google Maps. Meet at Community Park, next to the soccer fields.

Step off 5:30 AM sharp. We cover 6 miles toward the challenge.

Earn the Patch

Every participant who registers, donates, and completes the challenge receives this year's exclusive event patch.

One patch per registration. If you want more than one patch, complete a separate registration for each one. This helps us greatly with shipping + logistics.

Patches will ship starting Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

Register by November 15 to guarantee yours. After that we ship while supplies last.

Where Your Money Goes

Most of it goes to our work with Veterans who are homeless, at risk, or in crisis. Packs of essential supplies, help getting into housing, and direct financial assistance.

Every donation is made to Operation Patriot Packs and receipted by us for tax purposes. A portion of the proceeds from this challenge will go to VFW Post 8790 to support their work with Veterans in need.

Operation Patriot Packs is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Special Thanks to Patch Playground

This year's patch came from Patch Playground, a Texas business owned by Tyler Phillips, a Navy Veteran and an F3 PAX. Zelda, if you know him from the AO.

Every patch going out this November was made by someone who knows exactly what the flag on it means. Thank you for building it with us.

Go give them a follow: @Patch_Playground on Instagram