Beginning September 12, 2026, members of Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) and Wear Blue: Run to Remember will join the military‑connected community for a five‑day, 250‑mile flag relay from New York City to Washington, D.C. The event, organized by One Flag Forward, is designed to honor the 1.3 million Americans who have lost their lives in service to the nation.
The relay’s timing underscores two major national anniversaries: the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and the 250th anniversary of the United States.
A Rare Cross‑Community Moment
While Team RWB and Wear Blue are two of the most influential organizations in the veteran and endurance‑sports space, joint participation at a major event is uncommon. Their collaboration for One Flag Forward is being viewed by endurance observers as a significant moment of alignment between communities that share values but typically operate independently.
A Mission Built Around a Single Flag
The relay centers on one American flag, carried continuously over 250 miles. Each handoff represents a new generation committing to carry forward the legacy of those who served. Organizers say the symbolism is intentional: a single flag, moving through some of the most historically significant ground in the country, carried by those most connected to its meaning.
Honoring Service Through Movement
Participants will cover the distance over five days, moving through communities that played key roles in both the nation’s founding and its post‑9/11 history. For Team RWB athletes, the event aligns with their mission to enrich veterans’ lives through movement and connection. For Wear Blue runners, it extends their longstanding commitment to remembrance through intentional miles.
National Significance
With the relay bridging two major anniversaries — 9/11 at 25 years and America at 250 years — organizers expect broad participation from military families, veterans, endurance athletes, and supporters along the route. The event is already being described as one of the most symbolically significant endurance efforts of the year.
Learn more: https://www.oneflagforward.org/
