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Not only did Wise complete the 106-mile journey from Richmond to Arlington, but he also met his goal of completing the ruck in under 48 hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His final time was 47 hours and 45 minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter all was said and done, we ended up raising about $10,000, which we donated to The Navy SEAL Foundation,\u201d explained Wise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The foundation, which provides support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and its families, brought Wise\u2019s mission to honor service members full circle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the days following the ruck, Wise received an outpouring of support, including offers to ruck alongside him should he complete the 106-mile trek again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInitially, I thought this was just going to be a one-time thing,\u201d admitted Wise. \u201cSo many people wanted to be a part of Freedom Ruck that it turned into an annual event.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the seventh year in a row, Wise was back at the Virginia War Memorial. This time he was accompanied by a group of 15-20 marchers, brought together by their military and law enforcement ties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the crowd was U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hunter Kiser, a recruiter stationed in Lynchburg, Virginia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is my second year participating in the Freedom Ruck,\u201d said Kiser. \u201cI\u2019ve known Vic for years, but I\u2019ve never been stationed close enough to really take part until now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While many of the participants tap out after a certain point, Kiser says the goal is always to finish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLast year I did about 25 miles and this year I got up to about mile 48 before I had to call it,\u201d explained Kiser. \u201cBut I\u2019ve gone into each year hoping to conquer all 106 miles.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For 48 miles, Kiser and the other participants shared stories of their military experiences, their families and offered life advice for those seeking it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor the first 30 miles, there was enough people to jump around and get to know each other,\u201d said Kiser. \u201cBut when all you have are the flashing lights of the escort in front of you in the middle of the night, you need music or books on tape to keep your mind occupied.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With just about one week after Freedom Ruck 2020, Kiser already has his sights on Freedom Ruck 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s already written on my mirror: Freedom Ruck 2021,\u201d shared Kiser. \u201cI see it every morning when I wake up and every night before I go to bed. I\u2019ll be ready.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since stepping off for his first Freedom Ruck in 2014, Freedom Ruck has raised nearly $55,000 for The Navy SEAL foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe foundation\u2019s focus is to cover outside what the government will cover should a teammate become ill or injured,\u201d explained Wise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In particular, the foundation hosts an annual Gold Star Family retreat for families dealing with the loss of loved ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Vice](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/FR_1.jpg.jpg\")