Race #1 with the American flag was the Oakdale Firecracker 5K on Lengthy Island, New York, on the 4th of July, 2015. Former United States Marine and Military veteran Billy Richards had began his lengthy, muddy, usually painful journey precisely one 12 months earlier by lugging a 45-pound rucksack throughout all of his races to lift consciousness for veterans – the weighted pack symbolic of “carrying the burden” for the quite a few struggles our nation’s troopers face after they go away army service and re-enter the civilian world. At Oakdale, he added the U.S. flag as a result of, naturally, it was patriotic and a extra direct army reference.
Adaptation and Advocacy
That was 10,000-plus race miles, numerous accidents, and three unofficial nicknames later. Richards, now a nationwide determine, had shed the rucksack however not Previous Glory, nonetheless taking the flag to each race — slicing by way of the wind at ultra-marathons, Spartan Trifectas, and Powerful Mudders.
Competitors and Counselling
Richards’s racing profession is stuffed with anecdotes of adaptation, comparable to rolling up the flag to forestall it from snagging on timber. Furthermore, he highlights the significance of psychological providers and counseling for veterans, advocating for extra funding and consciousness of the providers obtainable by way of the VA.
Billy the Advocate
Richards entered the Marines in 1999 at age 17, served 4 years, left energetic service for six years, after which joined the Military. Adapting to civilian life was troublesome, however by way of fixed motion and a number of athletic endeavors, Richards discovered a option to cope and contribute to elevating consciousness for veteran points.
Billy Richards the Report Chaser
With a formidable variety of races underneath his belt, Richards set his sights on world data in ultra-running and Spartan racing, coming near breaking a report for many 100-mile races accomplished in a 12 months and pursuing the report for many Spartan Trifectas accomplished in a 12 months.
Billy the “Terminator”
Despite extreme accidents, together with a broken hip and a ruptured proper biceps tendon, Richards continues to race. His bodily therapist, impressed by Richards’s tenacity, compares him to Captain America and The Terminator for his superhuman grit and willpower.
Billy the Flag Bearer
Richards stays a fixture in races throughout the globe. As of this writing, he’s on a seemingly inexorable path towards 600 races and even perhaps 1,000, sustaining his spirit and dedication so long as his physique permits, all within the service of supporting his fellow veterans.
Right here was Billy’s replace despatched to M&F on November 30, 2024:
“Simply completed quantity 30 in Mexico, 2 weekends left. Florida shall be easy crusing, and so ought to Abu Dhabi, relying on how my hip offers with the sand, however by that time, I’ll crawl if I’ve to get it carried out.”
The 2023 Spartan World Championships from the Al Wathba desert happen Dec. 8-10.
