09/02/2026
RUCK WITH PUPS IS BACK FOR FALL!
Join us Saturday, September 19 at Pratt Park for the Ruck with Pups 5K Fall Fur Festival, a morning built around dogs, community, and giving back.
Ruck with Pups brings people together for a family-friendly 5K ruck, followed by a Fall Fur Festival featuring adoptable dogs, local animal rescue organizations, vendors, family activities, and plenty of four-legged company.
**EVENT DETAILS**
📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Pratt Park | Fredericksburg, VA
🥾 5K Ruck
🐾 Dog Adoptions
🛍️ Local Vendors
👨👩👧👦 Family Activities
❤️ Shelter Food & Supply Drive
PACK YOUR RUCK FOR THE PUPS
If you're participating in the 5K, we encourage you to load your ruck with dog food, treats, toys, blankets, cleaning supplies, or other needed shelter items to donate after the ruck.
Instead of carrying weight just for the sake of carrying weight, make your miles matter.
Pack your bag with donations. Carry them for 5K. Then unload your ruck directly into the hands of the animal rescue organizations participating in the event.
The more you carry, the more we give.
Don't have a ruck? Use a backpack.
Don't want to carry weight? Walk with us anyway.
And if you're not participating in the 5K, you're still encouraged to bring food and supplies to donate.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A RUCKER TO COME OUT
Participate in the 5K, bring your own dog, meet dogs looking for their forever homes, visit our vendors, make a donation, or simply spend the morning with the community.
Whether you're carrying a ruck or just coming for the pups, you're welcome.
WHAT'S A RUCK?
It's simple: walking with weight on your back.
For Ruck with Pups, we're asking you to make that weight useful by filling your bag with donations for the shelters and rescues joining us.
There is **no required weight**, and this is **not a race**. Carry an amount appropriate for your ability and enjoy the miles.
BRING YOUR DOG
Friendly, well-behaved dogs are welcome to participate with their humans. Please keep dogs leashed and under control throughout the event.
COME LOOKING FOR A DOG. YOU MIGHT LEAVE WITH FAMILY.
Local rescue organizations will be on site with adoptable animals looking for their next chapter. Come meet them, learn about the organizations serving animals throughout our community, and maybe find your family's newest member.
WHY WE RUCK
Ruck with Pups is a program of The Guidon Foundation and is hosted and organized by Honor Bound FIT.
The 2026 Fall Fur Festival is proudly presented by Fredericksburg Junk Removal, our Title Sponsor.
Pack your ruck. Bring your family. Bring your dog.
Carry what they need. Meet the dogs who need us. Make your miles matter.
