War Within Challenge: Honoring Anthony Salem
- Date Sun 26th July 2026
- Time 8:00AM EDT
- Location Akron, Ohio
- Price $32.80
- Races 6 races
Event summary
Join us for the inspiring War Within Challenge: Honoring Anthony Salem on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Firestone Park in Akron, Summit. This uplifting event kicks off at 8 AM and offers participants the choice of running, walking, or rucking a scenic course of 2 miles, 4 miles, or 8 miles, all while raising awareness for addiction, PTSD, and recovery.
Created in memory of Iraq Combat Veteran Anthony Salem, who lost his battle with addiction in 2023, this challenge symbolizes the ongoing fight against the silent struggles many face. Every step taken during the event not only honors Anthony’s legacy but also supports vital programs that assist those in recovery. With your participation and fundraising efforts, you can help provide essential resources like bicycles, fitness clothing, and running shoes to those in need. Let's unite as a community, uplift one another, and ensure that no warrior has to fight alone. Together, we can make a difference—one mile at a time!
Created in memory of Iraq Combat Veteran Anthony Salem, who lost his battle with addiction in 2023, this challenge symbolizes the ongoing fight against the silent struggles many face. Every step taken during the event not only honors Anthony’s legacy but also supports vital programs that assist those in recovery. With your participation and fundraising efforts, you can help provide essential resources like bicycles, fitness clothing, and running shoes to those in need. Let's unite as a community, uplift one another, and ensure that no warrior has to fight alone. Together, we can make a difference—one mile at a time!
Organiser's Description
WAR WITHIN CHALLENGE: HONORING ANTHONY SALEM
Run Walk Ruck
When: July 26, 2026 8 AM Start
Where: Tuscarawas Shelter at Firestone park in Akron
2620 Harrington Rd
Akron, OH 44319
Fighting the Silent Battle: A 2 mile, 4 mile, or 8 mile for Addiction, PTSD, & Recovery
The 2nd Annual Anthony Salem Challenge is more than a raceit is a movement.
Created in honor of Iraq Combat Veteran Anthony Salem, who tragically lost his battle with addiction and the invisible wounds of war on September 24, 2023, this event stands as a public declaration that no one should have to fight alone.
Every day, veterans and individuals in recovery wage an unseen waragainst PTSD, addiction, trauma, and the weight of experiences most will never understand. Too many lose that battle in silence.
This challenge exists to change that.
On race day, participants will run, walk, or ruck a scenic 2 mile course, each step symbolizing the burdens so many carry quietly.
Your participationand your fundraisingbecome part of someones survival story.
All proceeds power Running2bWell, helping provide:
Bicycles for transportation
Fitness clothing
Running shoes
Race entries
Community support and connection
Every dollar fuels hope. Every mile lifts a warrior. Every fundraiser becomes part of the fight.
Join us as we honor Anthonys legacy, uplift those still fighting, and ensure that no warrior battles alone.
Welcome to The War Within Peer-to-Peer Challengewhere your courage becomes someones lifeline.
PEER-TO-PEER CHALLENGE FUNDRAISING LEVELS
War Within Challenge: Honoring Anthony Salem Run Walk Ruck
Fighting the Silent Battle: Addiction PTSD Recovery
-------------------------
THE CHALLENGE ENTRY $40
Answer the Call
This is your basic registration or sign-up challenge.
Includes:
* Event entry for Run Walk Ruck
* Participant bib
* Exclusive Anthony Salem Challenge T-shirt
* Access to fundraising platform
* The opportunity to dedicate your challenge In Honor Of a loved one
-------------------------
1. BATTLE BUDDY LEVEL $100-499 RAISED
No One Fights Alone
* Official Battle Buddy digital badge
* Exclusive Anthony Salem Challenge T-shirt
* Fundraisers who raise $100 or more will receive a food truck voucher as a thank-you for their impact
* Name included on event website supporters page
* Helps provide fitness clothing or race entries to someone in recovery.
-------------------------
2. STRENGTH IN THE STRUGGLE LEVEL $500-999 RAISED
Every Mile Helps a Warrior Fight Another Day
* All previous rewards
* Salem Challenge wristband
* Supports a pair of running shoes for a veteran or person in recovery.
-------------------------
3. WARRIOR SHIELD LEVEL $1,000- 2499 RAISED
Your Support Becomes Their Shield
* All previous rewards
* Name listed on event Honor Field signage
* Sponsors a full fitness-support package: clothing, shoes, race entries, and community programming.
* Helps fund a bicycle for transportation to work, meetings, and recovery groups.
-------------------------
4. THE SALEM HERO LEVEL $2,500 RAISED
Fight the Battle They Cant Fight Alone
* All previous levels
* Personalized certificate presented at the event
* Funds nearly all components for the Sponsor a Warrior program.
-------------------------
ADDITIONAL FUNDRAISING COMPONENTS
* Ruck-Weight Fundraiser (Add-On Option)
* Participants can collect pledges tied to their effort:
* $5 per pound rucked
* $1 per minute run
* Great for teams and high-impact fundraisers.
MEMORIAL & HONOR FIELD (EVENT DAY).
Supporters can donate to add a name to the 2026 Honor Field:
* A veteran
* A loved one lost to addiction
* Someone fighting PTSD or rebuilding in recovery
Run Walk Ruck
When: July 26, 2026 8 AM Start
Where: Tuscarawas Shelter at Firestone park in Akron
2620 Harrington Rd
Akron, OH 44319
Fighting the Silent Battle: A 2 mile, 4 mile, or 8 mile for Addiction, PTSD, & Recovery
The 2nd Annual Anthony Salem Challenge is more than a raceit is a movement.
Created in honor of Iraq Combat Veteran Anthony Salem, who tragically lost his battle with addiction and the invisible wounds of war on September 24, 2023, this event stands as a public declaration that no one should have to fight alone.
Every day, veterans and individuals in recovery wage an unseen waragainst PTSD, addiction, trauma, and the weight of experiences most will never understand. Too many lose that battle in silence.
This challenge exists to change that.
On race day, participants will run, walk, or ruck a scenic 2 mile course, each step symbolizing the burdens so many carry quietly.
Your participationand your fundraisingbecome part of someones survival story.
All proceeds power Running2bWell, helping provide:
Bicycles for transportation
Fitness clothing
Running shoes
Race entries
Community support and connection
Every dollar fuels hope. Every mile lifts a warrior. Every fundraiser becomes part of the fight.
Join us as we honor Anthonys legacy, uplift those still fighting, and ensure that no warrior battles alone.
Welcome to The War Within Peer-to-Peer Challengewhere your courage becomes someones lifeline.
PEER-TO-PEER CHALLENGE FUNDRAISING LEVELS
War Within Challenge: Honoring Anthony Salem Run Walk Ruck
Fighting the Silent Battle: Addiction PTSD Recovery
-------------------------
THE CHALLENGE ENTRY $40
Answer the Call
This is your basic registration or sign-up challenge.
Includes:
* Event entry for Run Walk Ruck
* Participant bib
* Exclusive Anthony Salem Challenge T-shirt
* Access to fundraising platform
* The opportunity to dedicate your challenge In Honor Of a loved one
-------------------------
1. BATTLE BUDDY LEVEL $100-499 RAISED
No One Fights Alone
* Official Battle Buddy digital badge
* Exclusive Anthony Salem Challenge T-shirt
* Fundraisers who raise $100 or more will receive a food truck voucher as a thank-you for their impact
* Name included on event website supporters page
* Helps provide fitness clothing or race entries to someone in recovery.
-------------------------
2. STRENGTH IN THE STRUGGLE LEVEL $500-999 RAISED
Every Mile Helps a Warrior Fight Another Day
* All previous rewards
* Salem Challenge wristband
* Supports a pair of running shoes for a veteran or person in recovery.
-------------------------
3. WARRIOR SHIELD LEVEL $1,000- 2499 RAISED
Your Support Becomes Their Shield
* All previous rewards
* Name listed on event Honor Field signage
* Sponsors a full fitness-support package: clothing, shoes, race entries, and community programming.
* Helps fund a bicycle for transportation to work, meetings, and recovery groups.
-------------------------
4. THE SALEM HERO LEVEL $2,500 RAISED
Fight the Battle They Cant Fight Alone
* All previous levels
* Personalized certificate presented at the event
* Funds nearly all components for the Sponsor a Warrior program.
-------------------------
ADDITIONAL FUNDRAISING COMPONENTS
* Ruck-Weight Fundraiser (Add-On Option)
* Participants can collect pledges tied to their effort:
* $5 per pound rucked
* $1 per minute run
* Great for teams and high-impact fundraisers.
MEMORIAL & HONOR FIELD (EVENT DAY).
Supporters can donate to add a name to the 2026 Honor Field:
* A veteran
* A loved one lost to addiction
* Someone fighting PTSD or rebuilding in recovery
Races
-
2 Mile Run, Ruck (1 Loop)
Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 26th July 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$32.80
Run, run/walk, or Ruck (suggested 35 lbs) 1 loop. -
4 Mile Run, Ruck (2 Loops)
Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 26th July 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$32.80
Run, run/walk, or Ruck (suggested 35 lbs) 2 loops. -
8 Mile Run, Ruck (4 Loops)
Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 26th July 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$32.80
Run, run/walk, or Ruck (suggested 35 lbs) 4 loops. -
2 Mile Walk (1 Loop), Untimed
Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 26th July 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$32.80
-
4 Mile Walk (2 Loops), Untimed
Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 26th July 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$32.80
-
8 Mile Walk (4 Loops), Untimed
Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 26th July 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$32.80
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2620 Harrington Rd, Akron, 44319, OH, United States
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War Within Challenge: Honoring Anthony Salem
