Operation Row For 22

🚣‍♂️ ROW FOR 22 — Virtual 5K

Move for a Mission Bigger Than the Miles
In 2028, a father and son from Southern Illinois will attempt one of the most extreme endurance challenges on earth: rowing 2,800 miles across the Pacific Ocean from California to Hawaii.

That son is Aiden, who will be one of the youngest people in history to attempt this crossing. His goal is simple but powerful:

**Row to show other Veterans that life doesn't end when the uniform comes off.
Adventure still exists. Purpose still exists. Hope still exists.**

The Row for 22 Virtual 5K is the first major fundraising and awareness event supporting that mission.

Every participant helps fuel the journey that will carry Aiden and his father across the Pacific — and every mile honors the 22 veterans we lose to suicide every single day.

 
THE MISSION
The 2028 Pacific Row will support veteran suicide prevention and raise money for veteran programs through the Southern Illinois Veterans Foundation.

Row for 22 is designed to:

Build awareness for the 2028 crossing
Help raise the training, safety, and equipment costs
Share Aiden’s story and inspire young people everywhere
Bring communities together around the fight against veteran suicide
Show veterans that purpose and adventure don’t end with service
 
ABOUT THE 2028 PACIFIC ROW
Aiden and his father will:

• Row 2 on / 2 off, nonstop, for 2,800 miles
• Endure storms, 40+ foot waves, isolation, and exhaustion
• Navigate using ocean charts, radios, and safety equipment
• Train for years in water safety, sea survival, navigation, and endurance
• Complete one of the toughest rows on earth
• Their boat will carry tributes to the 22 veterans lost each day and will become the centerpiece of SIVF’s mental health and suicide-prevention mission.

 
HOW THE VIRTUAL 5K WORKS
1. Register Online

2. Pick Your Discipline
Row • Run • Walk • Ruck • Bike — it all counts.
(A nod to the Pacific row — rowing is encouraged but not required.)

3. Complete Your 5K Anywhere
On your schedule. Indoors or outdoors.

4. Share Your Story
Post with #RowFor22 and #SIVF to support Aiden’s mission.

5. Support the Cause
Your registration and any additional fundraising help fuel the 2028 row and fund mental health initiatives through SIVF.

 
WHAT PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE
Digital Race Bib
Finisher Certificate
Access to Aiden’s training updates
(Optional) Event shirt.
 

Row for 22 is a virtual 5K with a purpose: to support a father-and-son team rowing across the Pacific Ocean in 2028 to raise awareness for the 22 Veterans lost to suicide every day.

This isn’t just another run.
It’s the beginning of something historic.

By joining this event, you help fund the training, equipment, travel, safety gear, ocean-rescue certifications, and mission support needed to get Aiden and his father safely across 2,800 miles of open ocean. You also help fund veteran programs through the Southern Illinois Veterans Foundation.

Move at your pace.
Choose your discipline.
But know this:

Every mile you complete sends a message of hope.

Every mile helps build a future where Veterans stay in the fight.

Every mile brings Aiden one step closer to the Pacific.

Join fellow runners on November 11, 2025 for the Operation Row For 22. It's a fantastic 1K, 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon, Marathon, Ultra featuring a flat and fast course in Anywhere.