Embark on a unique endurance challenge at the Pineywood RUCK Relay, a 27-mile team event set for April 25, 2026, in Gilmer, TX. This distinctive relay calls upon teams of 2-4 individuals to ruck from the Upshur County Courthouse in Gilmer to the Gregg County Courthouse in Longview, Texas. Participants will navigate a predetermined route with checkpoints every 5-7 miles, providing opportunities for team members to swap out and continue the mission through the scenic Pineywoods region. The course features a mix of highway shoulders, backroads, sidewalks, and dirt/grass sides of roads, offering a varied terrain with generally flat to rolling hills and a total elevation gain of 1700 feet.

The Pineywood RUCK Relay is designed as a self-supported challenge, emphasizing teamwork and personal responsibility. While hydration is provided at aid stations, teams are responsible for their own navigation, food, and additional supplies. A key element of the challenge includes ruck weight requirements: 30 lbs for participants weighing over 150 lbs and 20 lbs for those under 150 lbs. Safety is paramount, with requirements for headlamps for early starters and high-visibility traffic safety gear for all participants, who must stay on the left side of the road facing traffic.

Typical race day conditions in late April offer pleasant weather, with historical averages ranging from lows of 55°F to highs of 76°F and a 15% chance of precipitation. The race begins bright and early at The Body Health and Wellness in Gilmer, culminating at the Longview Courthouse. This event, hosted by Texas Outlaw Running, promises an unforgettable mission, blending a rigorous physical challenge with camaraderie and the beautiful backdrop of East Texas.