In Gunnison, Utah a team from Utah Valley University completed a marathon ruck march held in remembrance of the thousands of people who lost their lives in the attack of Sept. 11, 2001.

 

UVU sponsored a five-person team composed of veteran students and employees to represent the veteran student community and Veteran Success Center on campus. The team consisted of Jordan Fuller, Kyle Reyes, Junior Lobju, Adrian Goulhart, and Cody Goulhart.

 

The team completed the 26-mile march in the 92-degree heat in roughly 10 hours. They hiked through sand, washed out ravines, and steep mountain ridges. They successfully endured blisters, bruises, and sore muscles to cross the finish line, and did so as the first and only team carrying heavy packs.

 

The two-day inaugural United We March event was organized by Justen Mellor of Gunnison, as well as numerous volunteers. The event was to honor service members, search and rescue personnel, firefighters, law enforcement and EMS across the nation. It was patterned after the Bataan Memorial Death March. The first day of the ceremony started at the Gunnison City Park, with a live auction and dinner served by the UVU Veteran Success Center. The festivities the continued the next day with an opening ceremony before the participants started the marathon.

 

The majority of the event was sponsored by donations from various companies and volunteers willing to dedicate their time. All of the proceeds from the event went to benefit four local charities and organizations including the UVU Veterans Success Center, Utah 1033 Foundation, University of Utah Burn Center and Sanpete Search and Rescue.

 

The event was a success, and next year’s event is already in planning.

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About Utah Valley University

At nearly 40,000 students and growing, Utah Valley University is the largest public university in the state of Utah, and one of a few in the nation offering a model that combines the rigor and richness of a first-rate teaching university with the openness and vocational programs of a community college. UVU’s unique model, which focuses on student success, engaged learning, rigorous academic programs, and faculty-mentored research, is transforming higher education by making it more affordable and accessible to students of all backgrounds.

 

University Marketing & Communications:

Scott Trotter

801-863-6807 | [email protected]

Barb Smith

801-863-5274 | [email protected]