Challenge Purpose

The PATHFINDER Event Challenge recognizes your hard-earned achievements during endurance events completed during your PATHFINDER training cycle. While events themselves are not a direct part of your PATHFINDER programming, they're often the culmination of your training efforts. When your event schedule overlaps with your PATHFINDER Class, this Challenge ensures you get credit for your accomplishment.

What qualifies as an Endurance Event?

Common examples include:

• Team-based ruck endurance events

• Individual or team-based obstacle course endurance events

• High-mileage or ultra-endurance events (over 30 miles)

Approved Endurance Event Operators:

Typical events accepted for credit include those hosted by:

• GORUCK (Light, Tough, Heavy, and Star Courses)

• Green Beret Fitness (Ruck-based events)

• Spartan Race Series:

  • Forward Program only: Super

  • Forward, Endure, Advanced Programs: Beast, Ultra, Agoge, Highlander

If you're participating in an endurance event from another organizer and you're unsure if it qualifies, please reach out to your Course Advisor to verify before attempting.

Program Challenge Requirements

PATHFINDER Horizon

• Minimum Duration: 8 hours
  and/or

• Minimum Distance: 24 miles
  Examples: GORUCK City Ruck or equivalent ruck-based challenges.

PATHFINDER Advanced

• Minimum Duration: 10 hours
  and/or

• Minimum Distance: 12 miles
  Examples: GORUCK Tough, GORUCK Heavy, or equivalent ruck-based challenges. (Distance-only events qualify for mileage credit only.)

PATHFINDER Endure

• Duration: Approximately 10–24 hours
  and/or

• Distance: 12–24 miles
  Examples: GORUCK Tough, GORUCK Heavy, or equivalent events.

PATHFINDER Forward

• Duration: Approximately 6–12 hours
  and/or

• Distance: 6–12 miles
  Examples: GORUCK Light/Basic, GORUCK Tough, or equivalent events.

PATHFINDER Life

• This challenge is currently not available for this program.

Common Questions

I'm doing [insert event name here]. Will it count for this Challenge?

If your event meets the above-listed duration or mileage requirements, it will likely qualify. If you’re unsure, contact your Course Advisor with details.

My Course Advisor says [insert event name here] doesn't count, but I disagree. What should I do?

Your Course Advisor is experienced and makes decisions based on what's best for your training and goals. If you disagree, you may still choose to log the Challenge credit as you see fit. However, PATHFINDER operates on an honor system, and logs are not audited.

If [insert event name here] doesn’t qualify, can I still receive credit elsewhere?

Yes. Typically, you can count it as one (1) workout credit plus any rucked miles completed during the event. (This applies especially to GORUCK Cloverleaf events.)

I'm doing multiple qualifying events during my PATHFINDER class. Can I receive credit for each?

No. The Endurance Event Challenge can only be credited once per PATHFINDER Class. Additional events can be logged as workouts and mileage.

Challenge Safety & Restrictions