06/13/2017
This is a great event, please register to pledge and to participate at Www.BackaHero.Today and invite your friends to join you this 4th of July as you honor Heroes!
Why do we celebrate the 4th of July? There are a few answers to that question, but one answer stands out consistently, our Nation’s independence from tyranny and oppression. So where are our hearts and minds during the 4th July time?
Well, for some it’s spending an exorbitant amount of ca$h on fireworks, ironically all made in CHINA, just to be burned up, blown up, shot up, and sometimes it’s just a flash and a p**f of smoke wafting upward to form a mushroom cloud… and there it all goes!
Then there are the others; those of us who just want the opportunity to celebrate the men and women who’ve made sacrifices in other parts of the world, for the freedoms we enjoy back here at home. Especially these days, the focus for many of us, is on are our current soldiers and local veterans. This is where Www.BackaHero.Today comes into play.
Www.BackaHero.Today is not just a website, but rather a powerful, local organization that supports our vets, and it all started right here in Washougal, WA. A local veteran and his wife, both members of the American Legion located up the Washougal River Road, founded Www.BackaHero.Today in May 2015. This 501-C3 non-profit organization raises funds and awareness in one of the most fun and popular ways today Running, Biking & Walking!
These races are held every year on the 4th of July, at Cape Horn Skye Elementary School located at 9731 Washougal River Road. The Washougal School District has been very generous in supporting the event by allowing the use of the large parking lot at the school.
One of the first things you’ll see as you arrive at the school is a very large American Flag. Graciously donated to Www.BackaHero.Today by a Korean War Veteran from Skamania County, “Old Glory” has been greeting participants and supporters since the first run, in 2015. Another thing you will notice is the rows of American flags that lead you to the parking area. Once parked, expect to be greeted by friendly vets, who just can’t stop “serving”! They will happily direct you to where you need to go.
When a “Challenger” registers, he or she receives a commemorative race bib with a “time chip” that tracks participants’ start to finish-times. Professionally timed by Scovel Racing, results will be available by the 10:30am Awards Ceremony.
During registration, Challengers that pre-registered by June 30th are given a small handheld American flag to carry, symbolizing how soldiers support us. Every registered participant that Returns to Base (R.T.B.) and crosses the finish line, receives an official Heroes’ Challenge dog tag as a keepsake.
There are 4 events to choose from: 7:30am starts the half-marathon. Runners head down Washougal River Road, then work their way around Alder to reconnect with the Washougal up river, turning South up Salmon Falls Rd, to Mabee Mines Rd., then West down Canyon Creek Rd; finally crossing the Steel Bridge and passing the Washougal River Mercantile, before turning left to return to the school.
Starting at 8:30am is the 2nd course, a 24-mile long grueling bike race. The course was originally co-produced with Www.BackaHero.Today by a Marine recruiter and includes every hill they could find. The group expressed to the Marine that they want this course to be “Marine-Tough”. After laying out the course, that same Marine said, “I sure am glad they don’t issue us bicycles.” This course through our local hills has also been used as a training course for Iron Man competitors.
“It’s an awesome event in an amazing venue for a great cause and probably one of my favorite places to ride too, and I ride everywhere! Yes, I am definitely racing again this year! Last year had an ok turn out of racers, but there’s plenty of room for more racers in this and I hope to see them all come this year to ride!” -Jake VanDuering -Dialed Cycling Team
The 3rd course starts at 9:30am. It’s a 5K walk or run, known as the “Country Stroll” that starts at the school and goes East up the Washougal River Road to the Salmon Falls Church, and from there the walkers turn around and come back the way they came.
“I love the way that the whole event is done with such love. It really is a great way to kick of the 4th of July weekend, while still remembering our fallen soldiers and our vets that made it home. My husband and our four adult children and their families’ do the 5k walk-run together. Last year we had friends join us for the run and we’re all really looking forward to it again this year! -Sondra Grable, Camas, WA
The 4th course is untimed and called “Walk the Track” it starts at 9:45am at the Malfait Field and Track located at the school.
One of the special features of each of the first three courses is the military vehicles that bring up the rear (follow’s the last person) of each group of participants, in each of their perspective courses. Www.BackaHero.Today uses military vehicles, as a reminder that, in the big picture of things, it’s the soldiers that still have your back.
One of these rear guard vehicles is a restored 1942 Wi***es Jeep (with some original bullet holes) decked out for D-Day. Another is a Korean wartime vintage M38 Jeep, as well as a 50’s M37 ¾ ton 4-WD troop transport truck.
Participant safety is at the top of Www.BackaHero.Today’s list when it comes to these events. The individual courses and the mapped routes are filled with manned checkpoints that are all connected by radio, much like what’s used in the military today. The local TALARC Post 122 group, (The American Legion Amateur Radio Club) will be manning the checkpoints and be in communication with the vehicles that serve as the rear guard. Much like a military operation, all communication between these checkpoints and the vehicles are received by the race command center which is ready to summons help if necessary.
At the end of the races, all Challengers are invited to enjoy the (RTB) return-to-base brunch that’s provided by Www.BackaHero.Today. After the race is over, pick up your dog tags, and head for brunch… before you go enjoy the parade.
That’s right, the fun doesn’t end at the race; you’ll want to get your place on the side of Washougal River Road for the 11:00am 4th of July Parade that The American Legion, Post 122 sponsors every year. It’s an old fashion adult and children’s parade that has it all. Starting at the school it ends at the American Legion Hall where you will find everyone celebrating 4th of July the old fashioned way. There will be a dunk tank, water balloon games, and more. Fun for both kids and adults until 2pm! And as always plenty of BBQ, ice cold drinks, and Fireworks to be bought.
This year, Www.BackaHero.Today has added the “Virtual Team” a fun, new way to participate “without” having to even show-up on race day! You can stay home and support vets with the pledges you raise, or you can choose to come and wave your flag for participants, and later for folks in the parade!
Signing up for any of these four events or for the Virtual Team allows you to have a pledge sheet which you can fill up with sponsors. It’s all done easily and electronically, with whoever collecting the most pledges and funds that exceed the $500 mark, winning a free night at Skamania Lodge!
Every penny Www.BackaHero.Today collects goes to local veterans. This principle is so valued with the core members that they even cover the merchant charges when a person makes a donation on the website. Meaning, if and when a person goes on to the site and makes a donation, the online merchant service that handles the electronic transaction, charges Www.BackaHero.Today with a small fee; just like anyone else. Well, Www.BackaHero.Today in the end adds up all those fees and pays for it. So, if a person thinks they are donating $100 to local veterans, they are! Everything at the event that costs money is completely donated by private sponsors; thus eliminating any draw from funds raised directly.
As mentioned, all funds go to support local vets. Www.BackaHero.Today forwards the funds raised to the local chapter of Point Man Ministries. Point Man is an internationally recognized organization founded by vets, stands with vets, and supports vets. With vets committing su***de at an alarming rate, the local chapter of Point Man has helped an amazingly significant number of vets when they really need it the most.
Every year Www.BackaHero.Today produces a beautiful picture book that covers the Heroes’ Challenge from beginning to end. They distribute those books to major sponsors. The books are also offered to the public for a $35 donation. To reserve your copy of this year’s book email [email protected]
