6th APK 5K and Ruck

2019 APK 5K Race and 5K Ruck March

The 6th Annual APK 5K Road Race & 5K Ruck March will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at the Guilford Fairgrounds starting with registration at 8 a.m. Following the opening ceremonies, the 5K Road Race and the 5K Ruck March will begin at 10am and run through the historic and beautiful streets of Guilford. The Kids Fun Run will take place at 9:30am within the Guilford Fairgounds.

This race is held in memory of Capt. Andrew Pedersen Keel. Because of their loss, Andrew’s parents’ Helen Pedersen Keiser and Bob Keiser, of Madison, established APK Charities. They did this to honor and remember Andrew and his sacrifice and to bring awareness to the needs of our veterans and their families.

Captain Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel U.S. Army Special Forces

CPT Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, fondly called “PK”, was born June 8, 1984.

Andrew was admitted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. N.Y. and graduated in 2006. Capt. Pedersen-Keel was serving as Detachment Commander of Green Beret Special Forces team in eastern Afghanistan. On March 11, 2013, several NATO and Afghan service members, along with Capt. Andrew, another American soldier, SSG Rex L. Schad from Oklahoma, and their military working dog “Bak” were fatally wounded when an assailant masquerading as an Afghan National soldier opened fire on the group.

ALL PROCEEDS OF THE RACE WILL BENEFIT THE FOLLOWING:

The APK Direct Assistance Program (DAP) provides assistance to service members and their families who are in need of emergency or hardship support. In conjunction with Columbus House of New Haven and other agencies, the program identifies an individual veteran in need of emergency assistance.

Assistance is provided by APK Charities on a one-time basis to eligible veterans in critical areas of need.

The APK Charities Endowment Fund with the Madison and Guilford Foundations to further Andrew’s legacy of service. Each endowment fund supports initiatives, projects and nonprofit organizations that serve to improve the quality of life in Madison and Guilford, among other places, with a particular focus on Veterans and Active Duty Military and/or their families and related Military charities and projects.

The Special Forces Charitable Trust honors and supports the active-duty and veteran Green Berets nationwide. A primary resource center, it ensures timely and consistent support and services to the Special Forces Association’s 9,500 members, the SF National Guard units, active-duty and veteran Green Berets and their families. The trust helps the greater SF community and their families navigate through life stage transitions. It’s an advocate for those issues most important and relevant to U.S. Army Special Forces.

Spike’s K9 Fund is a nationally known 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that is oriented around the care and preservation of working canines. James Hatch, a retired Special Warfare Operator, whose life was saved by these special canines, one of which was Spike, founded Spike’s K9 Fund. Spike’s K9 Fund aspires to ensure every K9 receives exactly what they need every time by purchasing gear to keep them safer and for peak operation, paying for critical medical treatment to help them return to work or live their retirement days in complete health.

For participants of the 5K Ruck March, please bring a backpack with non-perishable food items with the following weight recommendations: 150 lbs. under, 10 lbs., over 150 lbs., 20 lbs. This food will be donated to the St. George Food Pantry along with the Guilford and Madison Food Pantries.

See our website, www.apkcharities.org. for race registration and more infortmation.

Andrew exemplified duty, honor, and country. Please help honor his legacy.

APK Charities serves as a bridge that connects our society and our Armed Forces, opening our hearts and minds to support those who protect us.

Never Falter Never Quit