Wear Blue: Run to Remember

What Wear Blue: Run to Remember does

Wear Blue: Run to Remember is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on March 9, 2010, by Gold Star spouse Lisa Hallett and Erin O'Connor in the wake of the 5-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team's redeployment from Afghanistan. Headquartered in University Place, Washington, the organization delivers a portfolio of remembrance and wellness programs built around running and movement, including weekly no-cost Community Runs across 29+ U.S. locations, the wear blue Mile tribute display installed at marquee national marathons, the Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program (a structured multi-month marathon training cohort with certified coaches), the Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program pairing K-12 Gold Star youth with military mentors, and annual Honor Events such as Memorial Day, the Piestewa Challenge (a 250-mile virtual team challenge in March), and the Allied Forces virtual 5K on November 11. Participants engage through a mix of in-person community events, race-weekend activations, and virtual programs supported by a basic mobile app, with no proprietary technology platform beyond that thin layer.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack: individual one-time and recurring donations; tiered corporate sponsorships for events and programs priced from $2,500 (Sprint subscription) to $50,000+ (Program Underwriter / wear blue Mile title rights); merchandise sales through a Shopify storefront; and bespoke corporate employee engagement packages tied to specific Honor Events. Customer segments are Gold Star and Surviving families (primary), active-duty service members and veterans, civilian supporters, and corporate partners (Flagship tier includes USAA, TrueCar; Core tier includes BlueCross BlueShield, Comcast, Microsoft, TriWest, Wounded Warrior Project, USAA Foundation). Distribution is community-led through 29+ volunteer-led Community Run locations and event-driven through race-weekend activations, with no physical retail footprint. The organization reports 8,920 people directly impacted and 68,437 touched by programming in 2024 per its most recent Impact Report, holds Charity Navigator four-star and GuideStar Platinum ratings, and is governed by a Board that includes retired senior Army leadership.

Name

Wear Blue: Run to Remember

Legal name

wear blue: run to remember

Website

https://wearblueruntoremember.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wear Blue: Run to Remember is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers active-remembrance and wellness programs — including weekly Community Runs, race-weekend wear blue Mile tributes, an endurance training program, and youth mentorship — to Gold Star and Surviving families, service members, veterans, and civilian supporters across 29+ U.S. locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Military Remembrance and Family Support Services

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Road Running Events (Marathons, Half Marathons, 10K/5K) (MPAKAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Endurance & Running/Cycling Training (HSADAAAG), Virtual & Hybrid Participation Events (App-Based, Remote/Hybrid Races) (MPAKAIAH), Running & Endurance Wear (CRAAAEAD)

Keywords

• Military remembrance programs
• Gold star family support
• Community running events
• Nonprofit veteran services
• Memorial tribute events

Headquarters

HQ city

University Place

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals supporting the military remembrance mission
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Sponsorship packages for events, programs, and the wear blue Mile ranging from $2,500 to $50,000+ including logo recognition, event activations, and branded content
3. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling wear blue apparel and merchandise (wear-blue-run-to-remember-2.myshopify.com)
4. Employee Engagement Programs: Corporate employee engagement packages for Piestewa Challenge, Memorial Day, and Allied Forces events

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

wear blue: run to remember is a national nonprofit organization that delivers community-based military remembrance and peer support programs through running. Its core offerings include Community Runs (weekly in-person gatherings), the wear blue Mile (one-mile tribute displays at national races), the Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program (coached marathon training for families who lost a loved one in military service), the Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program (mentorship pairing K-12 youth with military mentors), and Honor Events such as Memorial Day, Piestewa Challenge, and Allied Forces virtual 5K, supported by an apparel merchandise store and corporate sponsorship packages.

Product overview

wear blue: run to remember is a national nonprofit that offers a suite of remembrance and wellness programs centered on running and movement. The core programs include the Community Runs (weekly gatherings with Circle of Remembrance), the wear blue Mile (one-mile tribute displays at races featuring Faces of the Fallen posters and flag-holding volunteers), the Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program (structured marathon training with coaching), and the Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program (mentorship pairing with military mentors for youth). The organization also runs seasonal Honor Events including Memorial Day, the Piestewa Challenge, and Allied Forces virtual 5K. Additional offerings include Hero Match (service member name matching for runners), the Circle of Remembrance ceremony, and a mobile app for virtual event participation. The portfolio is unified by the mission to honor military service and sacrifice through active remembrance and community connection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• wear blue Mile: A one-mile stretch at races that creates a living memorial to fallen service members with Faces of the Fallen tribute posters and volunteers holding American flags.
• Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program
• Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program
• Community Runs
• Memorial Day
• Piestewa Challenge
• Allied Forces: run to remember

Products and services

• wear blue Mile A one-mile stretch at national races featuring Faces of the Fallen tribute posters, American flags, and volunteers creating a living memorial to honor fallen service members. Designed for race participants, Gold Star families, veterans, and civilian supporters to actively engage in remembrance at major marathons such as Marine Corps Marathon and Army Ten-Miler.
• Community Runs Weekly no-cost run/walk gatherings hosted by volunteer Community Leaders across 29+ U.S. locations, beginning with a Circle of Remembrance followed by a self-paced run or walk to honor fallen service members and foster community connection. Open to all ages, abilities, and paces.
• Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program A lifelong peer-support community providing structured marathon or half-marathon training with certified coaches, virtual coaching, and race-weekend support for Gold Star and Surviving family members who lost a loved one in military service.
• Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program (GSYMP) A multi-month run-focused mentorship program pairing Gold Star youth (K-12) who lost a parent or sibling to military service with military mentors to build resilience, healthy habits, and connection to the military community through 5K training.
• Allied Forces: run to remember A virtual 5K event held on November 11th uniting veterans, service members, and supporters globally in active remembrance, with participation tracked through the wear blue app and tiered corporate sponsorship packages.
• Piestewa Challenge A virtual 250-mile team challenge held in March during Women's History Month, celebrating female service members including SPC Lori Ann Piestewa, the first Native American woman killed in combat. Corporate Day Sponsors include Comcast, Microsoft, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
• Memorial Day Event Annual Memorial Day event providing Hero Matches to participants and uniting wear blue communities nationwide and virtually to honor service members who sacrificed their lives since the Vietnam War.
• Hero Match Program allowing participants to request or be matched with a fallen service member to honor through running miles and carry their name on race bibs.
• Circle of Remembrance Pre-race and pre-run gathering where participants share a moment of silence and speak the names of fallen service members they are honoring, fostering collective remembrance.
• wear blue Merchandise Store Shopify-based online storefront selling wear blue apparel and merchandise to supporters, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit mission.
• Corporate Partnership Sponsorship Packages Tiered corporate sponsorship packages ranging from $2,500 to $50,000+ covering Community Run Sponsorship, the wear blue Mile, Remembrance Dinner, Shakeout Run, Piestewa Challenge, and Program Underwriting with logo recognition, event activations, branded content, and employee engagement.
• Training Plans Structured training plans produced by the Director of Running & Training to support Community Run participants and Endurance Program cohorts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of Endurance Program participants feel a stronger connection to the survivor community
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• TrueCarflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 October 2025TrueCar's DrivenToDrive initiative partners with wear blue to honor military sacrifice by awarding vehicles to deserving veterans and active service members. Since 2017, the initiative has donated 11 vehicles. The 2025 giveaway involves eligible military members and families, with winner announced in late November 2025.
• USAAflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerUSAA presents 'One Flag Forward' - a 250-mile, 5-day run from NYC to Washington DC, September 12-16, 2026. USAA Foundation supports the Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program. USAA provides funding and visibility for military family programs.
• Team Red, White & BlueflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint 'One Flag Forward' relay from NYC to Washington D.C. uniting wear blue and Team RWB in a 250-mile tribute to honor 1.3 million Americans who have fallen in service to the nation.
• BlueCross BlueShieldcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBlueCross BlueShield has been a proud partner of the wear blue Mile, helping honor and remember fallen service members with every step. Their generous support lines the course with American flags and personalized remembrance ribbons. Partnership highlighted in veteran mental health coverage demonstrating BCBS commitment to military community wellness.
• ComcastcoreGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Piestewa Challenge Day Sponsor. Comcast supports the virtual 250-mile challenge honoring women who have defended our nation, including those from Indigenous and underrepresented communities.
• MicrosoftcoreGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Piestewa Challenge Day Sponsor. Microsoft partners to honor service and sacrifice of women in military through the annual virtual challenge.
• TriWest Healthcare AlliancecoreGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Piestewa Challenge Day Sponsor. TriWest supports the mission of honoring women who have served and died as a result of their military service.
• Wounded Warrior ProjectcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with wear blue for the Rock n Roll Arizona Half Marathon wear blue Mile. Wounded Warrior Project sponsorship creates meaningful remembrance experience at the tribute mile.
• Texas CavalierssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports the Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program, helping fund mentorship matching for youth who have lost a parent or sibling to military service.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB): Team RWB is wear blue's direct strategic partner on the One Flag Forward 250-mile relay, serving veterans and military families through community-based physical and social activity. Their mission, community chapter model, and emphasis on endurance events make them the most directly comparable national veteran-community nonprofit.
• Achilles International: Achilles International provides running programs and community for people with disabilities, including wounded veterans. Highly comparable activity-based delivery model (community chapters, peer support through running, volunteer coaches), though focused on adaptive athletes rather than bereaved families.
• Travis Manion Foundation: Travis Manion Foundation empowers veterans and families of fallen service members through character-based leadership programs and service events (including Spartan-style challenges). Comparable in mission emphasis on remembering fallen heroes and engaging surviving families through physical challenge.
• TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors): TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, resource connection, and community for those grieving a military loss. Comparable to wear blue's Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program in serving the bereaved family segment, though TAPS delivers through case management and retreats rather than running.
• Gold Star Wives of America: Gold Star Wives of America is a long-established peer support and advocacy organization for spouses of fallen service members. Directly comparable to wear blue's primary Gold Star family segment, though its delivery model is social/advocacy rather than activity-based.
• Hope For The Warriors: Hope For The Warriors provides comprehensive support for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families through clinical, fitness, and community programs. Comparable in program breadth serving military families and emphasis on fitness as healing, though larger and broader in scope.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Wounded Warrior Project is the largest U.S. nonprofit serving post-9/11 wounded veterans, with whom wear blue directly partners at the Rock n Roll Arizona Half Marathon wear blue Mile. Much broader in scope (mental health, physical rehab, employment) and competes for the same corporate veteran-cause sponsorship dollars.

Emerging players

• Boulder Crest Foundation: Boulder Crest Foundation provides posttraumatic growth-based programs for combat veterans and their families through retreats and family programming. Comparable in evidence-based outcomes focus (similar to wear blue's outcome reporting) and family-centric veteran services, though smaller and retreat-delivered rather than running-based.
• Team Rubicon: Team Rubicon engages veterans in disaster response and community service through volunteer-led operations. Comparable community-veteran-service model and reliance on volunteer chapters, though focused on disaster response rather than remembrance.
• America's Warrior Partnership: America's Warrior Partnership connects veterans to community resources through a nationwide partnership network. Comparable in serving military families and veterans through community-based, locally-delivered support, though less emphasis on running.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wearblue
• Instagraminstagram.com/wearblue
• Xx.com/wearblue
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wear-blue-run-to-remember

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wear Blue: Run to Remember