30 DAYS. 30 MILES. 1 MISSION.
Join Guardian Revival during the month of September (Suicide Awareness Month) to raise funds & awareness to reduce veteran & first responder suicide through the One Mile Challenge.
One Mile Challenge 2024 | 30 Days 30 Miles 1 Mission presented by Guardian Revival
Challenge Info
The Guardian One Mile Challenge is a 30-day virtual walking event designed to raise funds & awareness to combat veteran & first responder suicide in the United States.
Over the course of the one month challenge, you’ll walk (run, or roll) 30 total miles: 1 mile each day of September.
This is a virtual challenge that operates on the honor system. Participants walk wherever they are and self-monitor their completion of their daily mile.
-
Registration will take place leading up to September.
The challenge begins at 12:00 AM on September 1st and ends at 12:00 AM on October 1st.
-
The entry fee is $50 + the processing fee, which we ask participants to pay if possible.
100% of the profit from your entry fee (not the processing fee) will go directly to support our programs at Guardian Revival.
We have calculated through fair market assessments that $40 of your entry fee is tax deductible as we are providing a Participant Challenge Kit to you valued at $10.
Thus, your donation ($40) will support Guardian Revival, a 501(c) (3) charitable organization, EIN 84-3585765 in accordance with IRS law, and is deemed tax-deductible absent any limitations on deductibility applicable to you as a particular taxpayer. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution of $40.
-
Each participant will receive a Participant Challenge Kit in the mail upon completion of the challenge (after the end of September).
Participant Challenge Kit:
Guardian One Mile t-shirt
One Mile sticker
One Mile bumper magnet
Guardian Revival bracelet
Shipping times are estimated at 7 business days but may vary depending on when you register and our inventory levels. We will keep you updated via email when kits ship.
-
This is a virtual challenge that operates on the honor system. Participants walk (run, or roll) wherever they are and self-monitor their completion of their daily mile.
There will be no disqualifications, passes/failures, hard feelings, or first/last place finishers, nor do we have “challenge officials” who are policing you, ensuring that you’re adhering to the rules. If a day is skipped, the participant should make it up.
What’s important is that you (the participant) are challenging yourself, pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, and experiencing some level of physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual discomfort as a visceral representation of the invisible wounds our guardians carry with them on a daily basis.
-
One mile is defined as:
5280 ft
1609.34 m
1.61 km
1759.99 yds
Four laps around a standard athletic track
Treadmills are acceptable but discouraged from being used if you are carrying weight due to safety concerns. Use at your own risk.
Participants are advised to utilize GPS, google maps, or other mapping or distance measuring software/device to verify distance.
-
For your mile, you may choose to carry weight to symbolize & make tangible the invisible wounds & trauma that our guardians carry with them on a daily basis.
The amount of weight you choose & the method you carry is up to you, and can vary each day at your discretion.
If carrying weight, we advise using:
Dumbbell
Kettlebell
Barbell plate
Adjustable dumbbell (e.g., Bowflex)
Fatbell (dumbbell-kettlebell hybrid)
You may also choose to carry sandbags, backpacks, babies, rucks, natural objects (rocks, logs, etc.).
Of course, please use your best judgment for what you are capable of to ensure your safety and avoid injury.
-
Your Daily Mile
-
![]()
Where & When
This is a virtual challenge, and you will self-monitor your progress.
Make your mile happen wherever you are or want to go — city streets, country roads, trails, tracks, treadmills, or in laps around your home — at sunrise, sunset, lunch breaks, or whenever works for you.
As part of your Participant Challenge Kit, we’ll send you a tracking card with a calendar so you can check off each day as you go.
-
![]()
Carrying Weight
For your mile, you may choose to carry weight to symbolize & make tangible the invisible wounds & trauma that our guardians carry with them on a daily basis.
The amount of weight & the method of carry is up to you, and can vary each day at your discretion: dumbbells, kettlebells, plates, sandbags, backpacks, babies, rucks, natural objects (rocks, logs, etc.). Get creative, but stay safe & don’t get injured!
-
![]()
Go Alone or Together
We encourage you to invite members of your household, coworkers, friends, and workout buddies to participate so you can take on the challenge together.
Many of last year’s participants found it meditative to go on their own, though, so approach it however works best for you!
-
![]()
Bonus Benefits
Physical activity is proven to improve mental health, reduce stress and anxiety, and decrease depression.
In addition to raising awareness & funds to combat suicide, we hope that participating in this challenge will help you enjoy a healthier lifestyle and more regular (or different type of) exercise.
the Challenge Kit
The fee for registering for the One Mile Challenge is $50, which includes a Participant Challenge Kit.
2024 Kits will ship out upon completion of the challenge after the end of September.
Proceeds go toward supporting our programs here at Guardian Revival.
Take their word for it
Feedback from past challenge participants
We’re social! Follow along & tag @guardianrevival and #guardianonemile
@semperstronger
@capt752
@brian.freeman.14473
@joannltherrien
@levimassicotte
@jenwiderstrom
Why We Walk
The problem
Our guardians — veterans & first responders — are exposed to mental & physical trauma & stress. Mental illness and suicide are disproportionately high among our Nation’s guardians in comparison to the general population.
14% of Americans who die by suicide every day are veterans, but veterans are only 7% of the population
An estimated 60% of first responder suicides go unreported
Veterans aged 18-34 are 3x more likely to die by suicide than their nonveteran counterparts
Approximately 50% of first responders experience suicidal ideation
A CAUSE WORTH FIGHTING FOR
Personal, professional, and social stigmas related to mental health treatment among guardians make it even more difficult to address this problem, largely stemming from a culture that values self-reliance and “toughing it out” and marginalizes those experiencing distress or asking for help.
100% of the proceeds from this challenge will fuel our core programs at Guardian Revival and help reduce suicide rates among our veteran & first responder populations.
This epidemic is real, and we need as much help as possible.
How Guardian Revival Helps
Guardian Revival is a New York State 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization chartered to revive & preserve the mental health & well-being of veterans & first responders — our guardians — at no cost to them.
Guardian Revival approaches the topic of mental health with non-clinical language & programs positioned to avoid these stigmas & barriers.
Not only does your participation in this challenge mean a tremendous amount to our team here at Guardian Revival, it truly makes a difference in the lives of the guardian community we work with.
Take their word for it
Feedback from past challenge participants
Amplify Your Actions
Sponsorships
Organizations and businesses can help in the fight against veteran & first responder suicide.
We deeply appreciate donations & sponsorships of individuals and organizations who want to support this challenge on a larger level.
We have several package options for sponsors, and we look forward to discussing which works best for you.
Email us at hello@guardianrevival.org to start the conversation.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Each participant is automatically set up with a peer-to-peer fundraising page.
We strongly encourage participants to raise funds through this page as it offers a personalized opportunity to raise additional donations for the mission.
Sharing your story or reasons you are participating & supporting this challenge can is powerful for your family, friends, and network.
Peer-to-peer fundraising is encouraged — but not required.
About Guardian Revival
Guardian Revival is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that improves the mental health & well-being of military & first responders — our guardians — and their families, at no cost to them.
Through both in-person and online offerings, our programs have directly impacted guardians in states across the country.
Our programs offer a complimentary approach to healthcare, so that our guardians & their families can pursue an empowered, integrative approach to improving their lives.
Decreased sense of loneliness
Increased sense of purpose
Growth in social network
Increased sense of belonging
Improved physical health
Together, these yield improved overall well-being.
Who we serve
Our guardians are a far broader group than most people assume or imagine, who are exposed to mental & physical trauma & stress.
We provide opportunities & resources to all guardians (active, former, and retired):
Military, Veterans, Reserves, National Guard, Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Dispatchers, Corrections, and Federal Agents.
Our Programs