MOUNTAINEER RUNNING COMPANY is honored to direct the Second Annual Battlers Knob Veterans Day Salute 5k Ruck & Run! Per WV Governor Morrisey's health initiative, we will also be offering a 1 mile "Mountaineer Mile" walk. This is a challenging course with lots of spirited competition, some awesome swag, and family fun! A virtual option has been added this year, so that you can participate even if you can't make it to the race!
All participants may enjoy a free hot dog dinner after the Race, served by Junior Lions Club, and courtesy of Battlers Knob LLC!
7 AM Day of Registrations accepted and check in for pre-registered participants opens
8:15 AM All Registrations and check ins close
8:30 AM Race begins
9:45 AM Award Ceremony
This will be an unique 5K closed paved course around a former college campus with several various inclines. A course map will be provided as race day approaches. Water and post-race snacks will be provided. There will be restrooms available. Strollers are permitted for children up to 5 years old, but no animals, please.
Options include walking (Mountaineer Mile only), running, and rucking. Those who want to ruck will need to carry an extra 20 pounds on their bodies if they weigh over 150 pounds; or an extra 10 pounds on their bodies if they weigh 149 pounds or less. Weight will be checked at race day registration. Acceptable forms of extra weight include rucksacks, backpacks, and body plates.
AGE LIMITS:
No one under the age of 18 is permitted to ruck.
Age limit for 5K Run is 6 years old and up. Participants aged 6-13 must have a registered adult participant with them on the course.
All participants under the age of 18 must have their parents or legal guardians grant permission below.
5K Ruck (18+ only)
5K Run 6 and up - under 14 with registered accompanying adult only
Mountaineer Mile Walk (one mile) 6 and up - under age 14 with registered accompanying adult only
AWARDS INCLUDE:
Overall Runner Male 5K
Overall Runner Female 5K
Overall Ruck Male 5K
Overall Ruck Female 5K
Age Group Awards 5K Run (M/F): 6-10/11-13/14-17/18-29/30-39/40-49/50-59/60-69/70-79/80+
Age Group Awards 5K Ruck (M/F): 18-29/30-39/40-49/50-59/60-69/70-79/80+
Overall Mountaineer Mile Walk Male
Overall Mountaineer Mile Walk Female
In order to spread the love around, there will be no duplication of awards. Thus, Overall Winners will not be counted in their Age Group Awards.
We will also have prizes for:
Longest Road Trip - the participant who travels from the farthest distance to join us on Race Day
Youngest Participant
Oldest Participant
Most Patriotic - Run in your best patriotic gear as a show of support for our veterans!
Mountaineer Mile participants will not be eligible for age group awards, but they will receive commemorative souvenirs for completing a Mountaineer Mile and be guaranteed tshirts if registered on or before Friday, October 31, 2025.
Everyone who registers for the 5K Ruck & Run on or before before October 31, 2025, will be guaranteed a tshirt and finisher medal. Those who register on or after November 1, 2025, are not guaranteed a tshirt or medal, but we will do our best to make that happen on race day. You may upgrade your tshirt to a long sleeve performance tshirt for an extra fee of $10 during online registration.
The first 50 people who pre-register online will receive a swag bag filled with things to make your run or ruck more enjoyable - you won't want to miss out on it!
All Virtual Participants registered on or before Friday, October 31, 2025, will receive a tshirt and finisher medal in the US Mail after providing their virtual times to the Race Director. Virtual participants are not eligible for awards. An extra fee is calculated to cover shipping as part of registration for virtual participants.
Active duty military personnel and veteran participants that register on or before Friday, October 31, 2025, will be acknowledged at the Race and receive a commemorative Challenge Coin in addition to tshirt and finisher medal, as Mountaineer Running Company and Battlers Knob's way of thanking you for your service. We will try to make these available for race day registrations as well, but they are not guaranteed.
There will be a Post-Race Raffle of various runner and veteran related items to be given away prior to the Awards.
This 5K Ruck & Run and Mountaineer Mile Walk is being held in conjunction with several other events that are planned at Battlers Knob that day in honor of our Nation's veterans. There will be a Field of Honor Ceremony, a Quilts For Veterans Presentation, a Veterans Information Fair, a WV military documentary screening, and live patriotic entertainment throughout our day long Salute to Veterans. Battlers Knob is proud to support our veterans!
Payments may appear on your card to Elite Events. No refunds or registration transfers are allowed for this event. There is a price increase effective on October 18th and again on Race Day - so sign up early!
MOUNTAINEER RUNNING COMPANY is honored to direct the 2nd Annual Battlers Knob Veterans Day Salute 5K Ruck & Run and Mountaineer Mile Walk!