Boots on the Ground for Heroes 5K
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial 5K
The Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial 5K is a memorial walk/run held at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. The course runs through the park and begins and ends on the parade field inside the historic fort. The event distance is 5K (3.3 miles).
The event follows a ceremony honoring 29 Rhode Islanders killed post 9/11 in the Global War on Terror. Proceeds from the 5K support the Boots on the Ground Memorial and Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, the state nonprofit serving homeless and at-risk veterans.
The Boots on the Ground Memorial was launched by Operation Stand Down Rhode Island in 2016. The Memorial displays over 7,000 boots with flags and name placards representing U.S. service members killed in action post 9/11. Every fallen service member is included and entries are alphabetized by state to allow locating individual names. The exhibition has been seen by tens of thousands of visitors and continues to grow as the Global War on Terror continues.
Registration opened on October 24, 2025 and closes on May 22, 2026. The registration fee is $35.00. Registered participants who enroll before May 8, 2026 will receive a 2026 Boots on the Ground for Heroes event shirt. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
