The Penn State Lehigh Valley (PSU-LV) Student Veterans of America (SVA) club will be competing in the Academics for Vets Virtual 5K Ruck ‘n Walk to take place during Veteran’s Day Week, Nov. 8-15. Competing against other local colleges and universities SVA clubs, the goal is to help connect student veterans to their university, campus and community by coming together in a friendly competition. The event is open to the entire campus community and friends of Penn State throughout the Lehigh Valley.
Academics for Veterans is an alliance formed by Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council consisting of institutions of higher learning in the Lehigh Valley, striving to better support veterans seeking education and support.
In addition to the virtual 5K, the SVA members will be raising funds for Lehigh Valley’s VALOR Clinic Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization committed to improving access to quality health care and shelter for veterans. The colleges/universities participating in the challenge are:
● DeSales University
● East Stroudsburg University
● Kutztown University
● Lehigh Carbon Community College
● Moravian University
● Muhlenberg College
● Northampton Community College
● Penn State Lehigh Valley
All registrants who submit their virtual challenge results by Nov. 15 will be entered to win one of ten $50 gift cards. The college or university team with the most miles submitted by team participants (ruck and walk challenge combined), earns a plaque to be displayed on their campus and bragging rights. The top male and female ruckers with the fastest 5K time will win a $100 gift card.
Participants can choose between the 5K walk or the 5K ruck, which is a timed walk/march with a weighted backpack; all participants will receive a digital race bib in the mail upon registration.
This virtual challenge is open to all members of the community and free to sign up, though donations are encouraged. For more details and registration, visit the Virtual 5K Ruck ‘n Walk sign up page.