Upcoming Ruck4HIT info session scheduled for December 4th at Neptune’s in Hyannis
November 18, 2025 (Cape Cod, MA) – As Heroes In Transition (HIT) begins preparations for its 11th Annual Ruck4HIT in April 2026, it is excited to announce that Ron Chapman of North Falmouth, has been named the new race director for the ruck relay race.
“I’m an Army combat veteran so the mission of Heroes In Transition hits close to home for me,” Chapman said. “Because the Ruck4HIT is one of the most impactful fundraisers for HIT, I’m really excited to serve as the director for this race. It is a great athletic experience and I’m honored to be a part of that.”
“Ron brings a wealth of experience as a competitive runner, a race organizer, and a veteran who understands the importance of the work we’re doing to assist individuals who are serving and who have served our country,” said HIT Executive Director Silene Gordon. “We’re looking forward to Ron lending his talents, expertise, and passion to helping us grow the Ruck4HIT into a world-class event that is unlike any other in the country.”
The Ruck4HIT is a 36-hour relay race in which teams consisting of a minimum of 7 runners and 2 drivers pass through every town on Cape Cod, starting and ending at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in East Falmouth. Each runner wears a 10- to 20-pound rucksack, symbolizing the burdens our active military, veterans, and their loved ones carry in service to our country.
Individuals interested in participating in or volunteering for the Ruck4HIT, which will kick off on Friday, April 24th and conclude on Saturday, April 25th, can learn more at Ruck4HIT.org. Businesses interested in sponsoring the event should email ruck@heroesintransition.org.
There will be two info sessions where people can learn about ways they can get involved in the event as a runner, driver, team captain, night support runner, volunteer, or event sponsor. The first takes place at Neptune’s at 541 Main Street in Hyannis on Thursday, December 4th at 7 pm, and the second at Plymouth Area Veterans Center at 20 N. Park Avenue in Plymouth, on Thursday, January 15th.
The first Ruck4HIT took place in 2016, with one team of 12 runners and 4 drivers, rucking from Ground Zero in New York City to Falmouth. The following year, it moved to Cape Cod where it has been held ever since. The event now attracts up to 20 teams with participants coming from across the country to compete in the grueling race in which individuals may ruck more than 30 miles.
Since 2022, Chapman has volunteered for the Ruck4HIT; this year, he served as the finish line coordinator for the 10th annual running of the race.
Chapman, who is an active marathoner and endurance triathlete, is the race director for the Paul White Memorial Road Race in North Falmouth and the Surf Drive Mile in Falmouth. He is also the course coordinator for the Cape Cod Marathon in Falmouth; the military liaison for the Falmouth Road Race; and the vice president of the Falmouth Running Club.
He also serves as the treasurer of the North Falmouth Village Association.
Having served in the Army from 1984 to 2000, he currently works as the Northeast Regional Sales Manager for Bostik, a world-class leader in adhesive technologies.
He and his wife Tracy, who have four children — Jeremy, Lexi, Corey, and Seth — moved to Falmouth, where she grew up, four years ago. She too shares a passion for running and has set out to run one marathon in each of the 50 states; she has done 17 so far.
Earlier this year, Ron ran his second Boston Marathon. He has competed in six Ironman Triathlons, a long-distance triathlon consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride, and a 26.2-mile run.
He is eager to grow the Ruck4HIT as a way to give back to Heroes In Transition, a nonprofit that was started by Cyndy Jones and her late husband Kenneth following the loss of their only son, U.S. Marine Capt. Eric A. Jones, who was killed in a helicopter crash while flying a combat mission in Afghanistan in October 2009. HIT honors Capt. Jones’s memory by assisting over 2,100 individuals on an annual basis through 15 unique programs that assist service members, veterans, military couples, military spouses, and military families.
“We’re trying to have the start and finish line be the ultimate experience for everyone competing in this event while raising money for a great cause,” said Ron. “I think we have the ability to make this a really big event where we get all the communities on the Cape involved and bring awareness to HIT and all the great programs they offer.”
About Heroes In Transition (HIT)
Founded in 2009 following the death of U.S. Marine Captain Eric A. Jones, Heroes In Transition (HIT) is now in its 16th year. The Mashpee-based nonprofit provides support to veterans, service members, and military families that is not readily available through other organizations. Its services include a Families In Transition (FIT) and veterans equine therapy program; financial assistance; fishing excursions; bimonthly outings for military couples; a REBOOT/REGROUP health and wellness program for veterans, service members, and spouses; and an annual Spring and Fall Couples Retreat. To learn more about HIT, visit www.heroesintransition.org.