The Magnificent Bastards Challenge 2026

The Magnificent Bastards Challenge has runners ascend and descend a one-mile ski-slope loop at Northeast Slopes in Corinth, Vermont. This is a summer memorial endurance race honoring Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines who died in action. Its primary format is Last Man Standing: participants have 20 minutes to complete each loop, return to the start, and begin again until only one runner remains. The event also features a Last Rucker Standing division with weighted packs and a single-mile Honor Lap for those wishing to participate in the memorial without entering the full elimination race. The loop is short but steep, gaining approximately 330 to 350 feet of elevation per mile. This makes the race a repeated uphill effort rather than a flat endurance shuffle. Ruckers carry 35 pounds (men) or 25 pounds (women) and are initially allotted 30 minutes per loop, transitioning to the same 20-minute limit after eight hours. Completing eight hours earns a medal; the 24th mile is the minimum for a runner's medal and also includes a fastest-lap prize. Each completed loop commemorates a fallen Marine from the battalion that inspired the race's name. Current records stand at 49 miles for a runner and 34 miles for a rucker. Participants may opt out of receiving a shirt, with a portion of their registration fee then donated to Wild Root Farms.