Boots on the Ground for Heroes 5K

The Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial 5K Walk/Run will take place following a ceremony honoring the 29 Rhode Islander’s killed post 9/11 in the Global War on Terror.   The course will run through picturesque Fort Adams State Park and begin and end on the parade field inside the historic Fort.  Proceeds from the 5k will support the Memorial and Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, the State’s primary non-profit serving homeless and at-risk veterans.  

Registered participants are asked to arrive beginning at 7:30am. A 25-minute ceremony honoring the fallen will begin at 9:00am, followed by the start of the Run/Walk at 10:00 am. 

The Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial was launched by OSDRI in 2016. The Memorial depicts over 7,000 boots adorned with flags and name placards representing the lives of the U.S. service members killed in action post-9/11 in the Global War on Terror. The exhibition has been seen by tens of thousands of visitors since its creation. Every fallen service member is included in the Memorial; service members are alphabetized by state, allowing individuals to locate friends, comrades, and loved ones. Tragically, the Memorial continues to grow each year as the Global War on Terror continues.

Every participant will receive 2026 Boots on the Ground for Heroes t-shirt.

** THIS IS A BEGINNER FRIENDLY COURSE**

Join fellow runners on May 23, 2026 for the Boots on the Ground for Heroes 5K. It's a fantastic 5.3K featuring a flat and fast course in Newport.