Keep on ruckin': 100-mile 'march' to benefit Why Me and Sherry's House in Worcester

WORCESTER — Long-distance, multiday walks and hikes for cancer can be grueling undertakings. Averaging roughly 40 to 60 total miles over a few days, participants often train for months in preparation for their journey.

So how does 100 miles in four days, while carrying a 40-pound rucksack — aka a backpack — and camping out each night sound?

If you're ex-military Rick Porter, it sounds like the perfect way to spend a long weekend.

Inspired by ruck-march exercises from his time in the service, Porter organized the first 100 Mile Ruck March Challenge last year to raise money for the Worcester childhood cancer center, Why Me and Sherry’s House.

Slated for July 21-24, and starting from Sherry’s House on Pleasant Street, this year's Ruck March Challenge participants will follow a circular route, every night camping outside a participating brewery, and on the morning of the fourth day, hiking back from the third brewery to Sherry’s House.

Covering 25 miles a day, rain or shine, “You have to survive all four days with what’s in your backpack,” Porter said.

Well, the backpack and brewery parties.

“After setting up, each night we have a big party,” outside the brewery Porter said. “DJs, face painting, dunk tanks and food.”

Everyone is invited to celebrate with and support the hikers.

“It’s a very family-friendly event,” Porter said.

The schedule includes July 21, Milk Room Brewing Co., Rutland; July 22, Stone Cow Brewery, Barre; July 23, Oakholm Brewing Co., Brookfield; and July 24 the finish-line party at Sherry’s House.

Milk Room Brewing said it is planning to have a specially brewed beer on tap and will donate all proceeds to Sherry's House.

Porter said the pandemic put a stop to most in-person events last year, but was successful nonetheless.

The event began when Porter’s company, CinchI.T. in Worcester, took on Sherry’s House as a client. What started as a routine information technology job at Sherry's House, Porter recalled, became much more as he and his colleagues learned more about and were inspired by the group’s mission.

Sherry’s House acts as a physical home where families can stay when a member is receiving cancer treatment in the area.

“They help with treatment, housing and bereavement care,” Porter said. “It’s an amazing organization.”

As a father of three, Porter said he was moved by the stories from the children and families, such as a 17-year-old girl from Puerto Rico who, now in her third round of cancer treatments, regularly stays at Sherry’s House.

The organization is completely private, meaning it receives no government grants, and all money comes from fundraising events, all of which were canceled during the height of the pandemic.

“We wanted to do something that would help raise money,” Porter said, while still remaining COVID-safe.

An outdoor event was the most logical — and that’s how he hit on the idea of the ruck hike or march.

Logistics pose challenge

While Porter had organized events before, such as technology conferences at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, he said nothing could prepare him and his team for the logistics of running a four-day, 100-mile event.

Last year's participants were hand-selected, Porter said.

“Mostly business owners and professionals from the Worcester County area who we knew were crazy enough to do it but also raise enough money," he said.

Porter tempered his expectations, telling the 15 participants that he would be happy if they managed to raise between $10,000 to $15,000.

By the end they had raised $72,000.

“The biggest thing I learned (from last year) is how generous people are,” Porter said.

This lesson continues to hold true. With about two weeks to go, donations are already close to last year’s total, currently sitting at over $61,000 — a result of having also learned how to better fundraise, he said.

“Last year, promotion was mainly, 'Hey, come out to the brewery and join us,’” Porter said.

In the last two weeks of the fundraising period, his team focused on each athlete, sharing their stories and reasons for participating. This personal approach resulted in a major jump in donations, so this year's participant's stories have been pushed for the last month.

Battling childhood cancer

Indeed, this year’s participants have their own stories to tell about their lives having been affected by childhood cancer, either as survivors or through family members.

Porter said one athlete is the mother of a child who went through cancer treatment, another who lost a child to cancer, as well as a business owner who is fighting a cancer battle herself.

“They come from all walks of life,” Porter said, including former military, hiking enthusiasts and fitness professionals.

The number of athletes has more than doubled — now at 34 — so fundraising may well be on track to exceed last year.

“Most fundraising comes in the last few days or during the event itself,” Porter said.

On the first day of the event last year, Worcester social media was abuzz with questions of what was going on, Porter said.

“Imagine seeing 15 people walking down the road who look like sweaty homeless people,” he said. “You’d be wondering too.”

Porter’s wife and other volunteers quickly provided explanations along with information on how to contribute, leading to an influx of donations during the hike.

The route itself is split between trail and concrete walking by about 50%, Porter said.

“We used a variety of the local trails including the Central Mass. Rail Trail, Midstate Trial, Moore State Park and Boy Scouts trails,” he said.

Fortunately, the Ruckers won’t be alone on the hike.

A small army of dedicated volunteers, 25 in total, will be with them all four days — from manning aid stations throughout the day located at certain milestones distributing Gatorade, water and snacks (nearly 2,000 bottles of water and Gatorade have been provisioned for the four days, Porter said) — to planners and helpers for the brewery parties each night.

A safety truck will also be on course at all times with a volunteer nurse.

The support is absolutely necessary. Last year had a 33% attrition rate, according to Porter, with five out of the 15 participants unable to complete the ordeal.

Porter said he expects a similar rate this year, but it depends on other factors such as weather.

“If it’s a perfect day, it might be easier,” he said, “but if it’s pouring, there’s no rain date.”

Porter added that he wants to encourage the community to join the brewery parties. Folks can donate before and during but, "more importantly come out and celebrate any of the nights — even by just being there, they’re donating," he said.

To donate or sponsor a hiker, visit whyme.org/event/100-mile-ruck-march-challenge.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Ruck hike July 21-24 to benefit Why Me and Sherry's House in Worcester