RUN FOR THE WALL

What RUN FOR THE WALL does

Run For The Wall (RFTW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 that operates the longest-running organized annual cross-country motorcycle ride in the United States. The organization coordinates a 10-day pilgrimage each May from Ontario, California to Washington, D.C., with the mission of honoring U.S. military veterans — particularly Vietnam-era POW/MIAs and those killed in action — and supporting veteran families through community, ceremony, and remembrance. Riders participate through one of four distinct routes (Central, Midway, Southern, and Sandbox, the Wall-to-Wall extension from D.C. to the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles, Illinois), culminating in ceremonies at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The annual participant base exceeds 1,000 and consists primarily of U.S. military veterans, Gold Star and Blue Star families, active-duty service members, and patriot supporters, with a steady pipeline of First-Time Riders (FNGs) recruited by returning participants.

The organization's technology stack is operationally focused rather than product-focused. GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios, paired with helmet communication systems such as the Sena 50S, enable real-time coordination across all four routes. A community discussion forum (forum.rftw.us) serves as the primary coordination platform for riders, route coordinators, and volunteers between annual events. RFTW also operates an online registration system, a merchandise e-commerce storefront (shop.rftw.us), and an events calendar with Google/iCalendar/Outlook subscription integrations. Content distribution is handled through the RFTW Podcast (multiple seasons), YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), and a monthly email newsletter ("Scuttlebutt") featuring President Messages.

RFTW's business model combines four revenue streams: participant registration fees priced at $40-$90 per person depending on route and registration timing; a mandatory prepaid fuel program priced at $35-$160 per vehicle depending on route; merchandise sales through the online shop; and donations plus on-route fundraising including daily raffles, 50/50 drawings, and live auctions. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer via the rftw.us website, with no paid sales force. The organization is volunteer-governed through a Board of Directors, four Route Coordinators (one per route), and a network of state coordinators, road guards, chaplains, medical staff, and chase vehicle teams. Sponsorship revenue from partners including KLIM (flagship sponsor), Amsoil, Nelson-Rigg, Thunderbird Harley-Davidson, Spotlight 29 Casino, and the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau supplements operational costs. The organization has 11 employees and is headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio, with a treasurer mailing address in Dayton, Nevada.

Name

RUN FOR THE WALL

Legal name

Run For The Wall, Inc.

Website

https://rftw.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Run For The Wall (RFTW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the longest-running organized annual cross-country motorcycle ride in the U.S., serving primarily U.S. military veterans and Gold Star/Blue Star families across four routes from Ontario, California to Washington, D.C. and Marseilles, Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Memorial Motorcycle Events

akta.pro primary industry

Cycling Events (Road Races, Gran Fondos, Sportives) (MPAKAIAC)

Keywords

• Veteran motorcycle ride
• Nonprofit event organization
• POW MIA awareness
• Memorial motorcycle run
• Veteran community support

Headquarters

HQ city

Ontario (CA)

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Registration Fees: Participants pay registration fees to join the annual run. Fees vary by route and deadline timing (e.g., Sandbox Route $40/person until Jan 31, then $60; Central Route $75 until April 30, then $90). Registration includes most meals, donated fuel at many stops, and access to RFTW events.
2. Merchandise Sales: RFTW operates an online merchandise shop selling clothing, patches, pins, stickers, collectibles, and other branded items. Separate login from registration system.
3. Donations and Fundraising: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, RFTW relies on donations from the public, supporters, and donors. Donations cover fuel, meals, and other event costs. Fundraising events include daily raffles, 50/50 drawings, and live auctions along the route.
4. Pre-Paid Fuel Program: Mandatory prepaid fuel program where participants pay upfront for fuel at RFTW-sponsored stops. Fees range from $35-$160 depending on route, covering fuel across the journey from Ontario CA to Washington DC.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Run For The Wall® organizes an annual 10-day cross-country motorcycle ride from Ontario, California to Washington, D.C., with a "Wall to Wall" Sandbox Route extension to the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles, Illinois. The organization coordinates four routes, support teams (road guards, chaplains, medical staff, chase vehicles), meals, fuel, lodging support, and memorial ceremonies for veteran participants, primarily honoring POW/MIA and KIA service members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Run For The Wall® Annual Motorcycle Ride Annual 10-day cross-country motorcycle ride from Ontario, California to Washington, D.C., offered across four routes (Central, Midway, Southern, and Sandbox/Wall-to-Wall) for U.S. military veterans, Gold Star families, and patriot supporters, with coordinated meals, fuel, lodging support, road guards, and memorial ceremonies at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
• RFTW Merchandise Shop Online store at shop.rftw.us selling clothing, patches, pins, stickers, collectibles, anniversary items, Vietnam campaign ribbons, performance shirts, and branded memorabilia to participants, supporters, and the general public.
• RFTW Online Registration
• RFTW Community Forum

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000+ participants annually across all four routes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered sponsor, flagship sponsor, pro bono supporter, core partner and fuel sponsor.

• AmsoilsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmsoil is a sponsor of Run for the Wall, appearing on the RFTW website with logo placement. Amsoil is a manufacturer of synthetic motor oils and lubricating products.
• Nelson-Rigg Motorcycle GearsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerNelson-Rigg is listed as a 2026 sponsor on the RFTW website. They manufacture motorcycle gear and accessories.
• KLIM Motorcycle Gearflagship sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerKLIM is offering sponsorship for all 2026 Run for the Wall participants. Contact: Mark Kincart at 602-369-1143 or [email protected]. They assist participants with gear questions from layering to outerwear.
• Fuller Law for Riderspro bono supporterOthersFuller Law provides donated legal advice to the Run for the Wall Board of Directors. Contact: 1-855-FULLERLAW or FullerLawForRiders.com.
• Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureaucore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides incredible hospitality and accommodation during RFTW opening ceremonies and departure from Ontario, California. RFTW credits them as essential to the event.
• Spotlight 29 Casino and Shelee'sfuel sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocated on the route to Ontario CA, Spotlight 29 Casino and Shelee's offer fuel and hospitality for RFTW riders, rolling out the red carpet with media advertising and digital billboards.
• CVMA 21-4core partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCovered RFTW tolls on the Kansas Turnpike, a significant cost savings for riders on the Central Route across the state.
• Thunderbird Harley-Davidson (Albuquerque)core partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerThunderbird Harley-Davidson in Albuquerque hosts Midway Route riders, provides support events, and participates in the full police escort through the city.
• Rich Ford (Albuquerque)core partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerRich Ford dealership in Albuquerque hosts Midway Route Day 3 start, providing hot New Mexican breakfast for riders including tortillas, eggs, potatoes, and green chili.
• American Legion Post 176 (Springfield)core partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerRFTW coordinates with the American Legion Post 176 in Springfield, VA for staging, meals, and as the departure point for Rolling to Remember (formerly Rolling Thunder).
• Red Star Foundationcore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to helping families of military service members, veterans, and first responders who have lost a loved one to suicide. RFTW has developed a partnership to support their mission and share their message at Sandbox Route stops. Speaker Sarah Braegger (widow of Travis 'Griz' Boyd) presented at Sandbox Route 2026.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rolling to Remember (formerly Rolling Thunder): The flagship veteran POW/MIA motorcycle ride on the National Mall. Most directly comparable peer: a veteran-led annual motorcycle gathering in Washington D.C. with the same memorial mission and overlapping participant base; RFTW even stages with American Legion Post 176 alongside Rolling to Remember events.
• Legacy Run (Motorcycle Charities): Multi-day veteran-focused motorcycle charity rides. Comparable as cross-country motorcycle charity rides fundraising for veteran causes, attracting similar rider demographics and sponsor profiles.
• Patriot Guard Riders: Nationwide motorcycle organization attending funerals of fallen U.S. military service members, first responders, and veterans. Directly comparable as a volunteer-driven veteran motorcycle community with similar mission gravity and rider demographics.
• American Legion Riders: The American Legion's motorcycle enthusiast program. Comparable as a structured veteran motorcycle community with shared mission of remembrance, fundraising, and rider camaraderie; American Legion Post 176 is an active RFTW partner.
• Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA): Motorcycle club restricted to combat veterans. Directly comparable veteran-only motorcycle organization; CVMA 21-4 is already an RFTW partner covering Kansas Turnpike tolls, evidencing tight peer overlap in mission and rider pool.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: One of the largest U.S. veteran-focused 501(c)(3)s. Broader incumbent in the veteran nonprofit space with overlapping donor and veteran-family audiences, though operating through direct services rather than an annual motorcycle ride.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Established 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving disabled veterans. Comparable veteran-services nonprofit with overlapping donor base and policy/advocacy mission, but without the event-driven motorcycle model.
• Soldiers' Angels: 501(c)(3) supporting deployed military, wounded warriors, and veteran families. Comparable veteran nonprofit with overlapping donor and family-support mission, but operates through volunteer letter-writing and care-package programs rather than rides.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): Major congressionally chartered veterans organization with broad service, advocacy, and community programs. Comparable large veteran-membership organization with overlapping veteran-family audience, but structured around posts rather than motorcycle events.
• Red Star Foundation: Nonprofit supporting families of service members, veterans, and first responders lost to suicide. An active RFTW Sandbox Route partner; comparable 501(c)(3) veteran-family support organization with shared audience and donor overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RunForTheWall
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/rftwus
• Facebookfacebook.com/RunForTheWall
• Instagraminstagram.com/RunForTheWall
• TikToktiktok.com/@runforthewall
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/run-for-the-wall

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 RUN FOR THE WALL