In memory of the late Alexander Reeder and in support of future Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), cadets and community members will fundraise and participate in the second annual Reeder’s Ruck.

The Reeder’s Ruck will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, Mathias Mitchell Public Square in downtown Stevens Point. Registration is $40.

If community members wish to donate but are unable to come, donations may be made at www.reedersruck.eventbrite.com.

Reeder’s Ruck was created to honor the late University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student and ROTC member, while at the same time raising funds for a scholarship his family started in his name. Reeder, Wisconsin Rapids, died in a motorcycle accident April 21, 2014.

The money raised for the Alexander H. Reeder Memorial Scholarship goes to a cadet who displays scholarship, athletics, leadership and support for others.

The Reeder’s Ruck is an eight-mile course beginning at the Public Square. It will head north to pick up the Green Circle Trail at the north end of town, come back along the Wisconsin River, over the Airborne Memorial Bridge on Clark Street, follow the Green Circle Trail south, back across the Wisconsin River over the HH bridge, and then head north again back to the Square. Roughly half of the march will be on pavement and half on a trail. This is the same course as last year’s ruck.

This year will have more community members involved. Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza will begin the ruck with a ceremonial cannon shot, and free food from Kristin’s Riverwalk will be given to participants after the ruck.

During Reeder’s Ruck, participants will be carrying a 35-pound rucksack on their backs.

Alec Foster, S5 public affairs officer with the ROTC program, said there are ways to make the ruck easier for those not as physically active. They could take the shorter two- to three-mile route, or they could walk instead of run.

Those planning to participate are encouraged to practice with similar weight to prepare for the event, especially if they are not used to walking or running with weight.

Eight miles and a rucksack was decided upon for multiple reasons.

“We wanted it to be a challenge for people because we know Alex really liked to push himself,” Foster said. “That’s how you make yourself better, but at the same time we wanted this event to be for the community and for the public so we didn’t want to make it something outlandish.”.

Reeder was also Foster’s mentor, a friend to all and a leader. He went to the Airborne Academy, a big accomplishment to attend and finish, Foster said.

While only the top finishers in each group get rewarded with coupons, T-shirts and medals, everyone who finishes will get a coin with the Reeder’s Ruck emblem on it.

There are no worries when it comes to weather and other events because the military trains under any circumstances unless it’s unsafe. Last year there were more conflicting events and the turnout was great anyway, Foster said.