The Deep Roots Digest

Hello friends! Whether I see you at the gym every day or we just met at a Spartan Race, I am glad you’re here. I’d like to tell you what’s going on with Quinn and the Big Tree Fitness Deep Roots Initiative.
— Coach Michael

In This Newsletter

• Fall Challenge: Ruck the Furnace!

• Required Gear

• More Miles, More Elevation, More Trophies!

• Our Other Charity Events

Big Tree Fitness Fall Challenge: Ruck the Furnace

We are four about 5 weeks away from this year's 2nd Annual Big Tree Fitness Fall Challenge which will take place beginning at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 17th at the Covered Bridge Parking lot 2370 Everett Rd. Peninsula, Ohio.

Ruck The Furnace is a two person team hike race. The number one rule is  "There Is No Running or Jogging Allowed" at this event! The hike will take everyone through the Covered Bridge trail system, including Riding Run (Perkins) and Furnace Run Trails. The total millage is 8.80 miles with 1037 feet of elevation gain.

There are three divisions for this race. A women's division, a men's division and co-ed division. Each of the teams will be sent off in 1 minute intervals with your time recorded at the start and end. There are no obstacles in this race as I normally have in our Winter and Summer challenges, just the trail and Mother Nature. This ruck race is about speed and efficiency on the trail. It is also about how well you and your partner can work together to maintain a pace and help re-supply each other with food and water as needed.  The trail has a lot of ups and downs and three creek/river crossings to contend with throughout the hike. Ruck the Furnace will take place during the peak Saturday for Fall colors. So, while you are putting in some serious effort, you are going to be surround by some of best colors that Mother Nature can create. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday morning!

Hiking's not your thing. That's cool.... You can still be a part of the challenge through a donation to Big Tree Charity Events. Make your donation through the our website or in person to Michael Meeker at Big Tree Fitness.

The Big Tree Fitness Fall Challenge is still a donation based event with all proceeds going to our Deep Roots Initiative. Any and all support is greatly appreciated!

More Miles, More Elevation, More Trophies!

There are a couple of changes to this year's race.

First change: Even though we are returning to the Everett Road Covered Bridge trail system, you will notice that the race is longer and includes over 1000 feet of elevation climb throughout the race. That being said, I wouldn’t have added these new elements to the race if I didn’t think you could handle it!

Second change: Because we’ve upped the challenge and added mileage and elevation gain, this year the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams in each division will receive a hand made Big Tree Trophy — like last year's first-place team received.

Required Gear

All race participants will be required to carry a backpack with the following items. If you feel you can do more than the required weight, by all means, step up and show everyone what you are made of.

Womens and They/Them Backpack Requirements 

• 10 to 15 lbs bag of non clumping dry cat litter water proofed (in a plastic bag) so it can be donated

• 2 Thirty two ounce water bottles

• The food you will need for the event - You will be burning significant number of calories.

• 1 Small bath towel - Just in case (Hitch Hikers Guide....)

Mens and They/Them Backpack Requirements 

• 20 to 25 lbs bag of non clumping dry cat litter water proofed (in a plastic bag) so it can be donated

• 2 Thirty two ounce water bottles

• The food you feel you will need for the event - You will be burning significant calories .

• 1 Small bath towel - Just in case (Hitch Hiker Guide....)

Big Tree Fitness Charity Events

At Big Tree Fitness we host three major community building, charity events each year — The Winter, Summer and Fall Challenges. Each challenge is different, but all are held within the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate. Donations from these events for the past four years have gone to worthy local charities. This year, all proceeds will be going to the Big Tree Fitness Deep Roots Initiative to support young people and their families managing the amputation of a limb.

• Our Winter Challenge, held at the end of February, is a small event patterned after the Spartan Hurricane Heat.

• The Summer Challenge, held at the end of July, is a sunset to sunrise hike. This is a chill, 12-hour night hike.

• The Fall Challenge, held in the mid October, is a competitive two person team ruck race (no running allowed). This one is about working as a team and being efficient.

The Big Tree Fitness Deep Roots Initiative

Helping young people navigate amputation with dignity, ceremony, and community.

• ADVOCACY: We provide information and support for young people facing amputation.

• TRANSITION GRANTS: We offer micro-grants for cremation and memorialization of lost limbs.

• NEW GROWTH FUND: In the future, we hope to provide funds to help amputees return to an active lifestyle through adaptive gear and movement therapies