23rd Veteran’s Ruck Life event in Duluth this May is expanding the groups it supports.

The veteran-focused organization will now extend some of its resources to first responders too.

The Duluth Ruck Life is on May 31. Step-off is at noon; festivities start at 10:30 a.m.

“This is a military training exercise. This is what we do in the military to train. We put on backpacks, we carry everything we would need in combat, anywhere from probably 40-100 pounds, and we go for a hike,” 23rd Executive Director Mike Waldron said. “This is a very civilian version. You don’t have to be in that kind of shape.”

The ruck happens on a 2-mile loop at Mont du Lac Resort. Ruckers can do as many loops as they want. They fill their packs with food and clothing to donate at the finish line.

Superior Fire Chief Cameron Vollbrecht is doing his first ruck march, and the more he raises, the more weight he’ll put in his pack.

“We’re super excited to have access to the programs from 23rd Veteran,” Chief Vollbrecht said. “Firefighters and first responders experience emotional trauma at a high rate. We have a high rate of PTSD, high rate of suicide within the fire service. So having access to a program that really fits into how we are as responders I think is going to be great for firefighters.”

Register to ruck or volunteer at 23rdveteran.org/rucklife.