Category: General News & Updates

Greetings from beautiful Colorado Springs, CO

On February 1, 2026 registration fees will increase for regular participants, and the Day Rider Registration will open. If you haven’t yet registered, take advantage of early bird pricing and register before the end of January. Registration numbers are used by State Coordinators and Route Coordinators to plan logistics of the Run and stops. The earlier we all register, the easier the planning is.

We are currently slightly behind last year in registrations, so please get the word out to everyone you know and encourage people to get signed up. One leg, one day, one week, ATW, the mission is the same.

The Day Rider program was implemented a couple of years ago due to excellent feedback from participants.  Day Rider registration opens February 1^st, 2026 and we have extended the number of days allowed for Day Riders.

Day Rider Registration

A Day Rider will be defined as anyone who rides with or participates in RFTW activities, at or between up to four consecutive overnight stop locations on Central, Midway, or Southern Route for up to 3 days on the road.  As SandBox Route is only 3 days, the Day Rider registration will not apply there.  The ground rules are as follows:

• May be applied to any Motorcycle, 4 Wheel or Auto-cycle Participant.
• Maximum duration: Check-in on the evening of first location, participate for up to 3 days on the road through morning of the last location, but does not depart with the pack.
• The 4 (or less) overnight stop locations must be consecutive and on the same Route.
• The Route’s overnight stop location decides your Day Rider start and stop location, it does not matter if you spent the night there or not.
• Overnight stop locations include Ontario, CA and Springfield, VA.
• Day Riders will be issued a special wrist band and ribbon to signify their participation.
• Day Riders will have full access for participation on all Route events during their registered period.
• The Day Rider Registration Fee will be equal to that of the Early Bird fee of the respective Route, i.e. $100 for Central/Midway/Southern.

Day Rider Registration Extension

If a Day Rider completes their registration period and decides to extend further down the road (yes, it has happened) the Route Check-in Teams will be prepared with a special in-person registration process that will allow the rider to apply their already paid Day Rider fee toward full registration.  After paying the difference in price to current full registration, they will be issued the regular wrist band and ribbon covering the rest of their journey.  This option may be exercised only during the Run.

How The Process Will Work

On 01 FEB 2026, when the fee structure shifts to “Regular Registration” pricing, there will be a new selection on the registration pages for a Day Rider check box that will allow for the reduced fee as noted above.  To be eligible for Day Rider status, the registration MUST indicate a Ride-to location as one of the next three overnight stop locations after the Sign-in location on the selected Route.  For example, on Midway route, a Day Rider may Sign-in at Albuquerque, NM and Ride-to Forrest City, AR.  With that selection, they may check-in at Albuquerque (evening or the next morning) and ride with the pack to Forrest City and even join in morning activities the next day – three full days of the Run.  If they would like to continue with the pack beyond their final selected stop, the Registration Extension option will allow them stay on the Run and ride the fourth day and beyond.  The Day Rider Registration Option will be available starting 01 FEB and will be in effect throughout the full execution of the Routes in May.

Don’t Wait Till May!

If you plan to register as a Day Rider or are coordinating a group of Day Riders, please get everyone registered as soon as possible.  It won’t make a difference in your cost, even if you register today, but it will help our State Coordinators with getting the best attendance info possible to our supporters along the Route.  Our awesome State Coordinators need your support! ALSO – if you registered before 01 FEB even for just 2 days on the road, you’ll have the option to extend past those 3 days on the Run at no additional charge, all part of the Early Bird deal!

Of Special Interest

I receive, and personally review and answer, every contact form directed to registration. This year, I have seen several contact forms saying the signature box isn’t appearing during the registration process. I have directed these to the IT Director, Dave ‘Shepard” Placek for follow up and help as this appears to be a system issue. Fortunately, every person has been able to get through the process before Dave can get involved. To ensure we can track down the issue, please send any of these to the IT director (it@rftw.us) as well and include what browser you are using, whether you are registering on a mobile device, tablet or computer and what model.

I regularly receive contact forms saying the confirmation email was not received. As in past years, these emails often get caught up in junk/spam folders. If you haven’t received the email to your inbox within a couple of hours of registering, check junk/spam folders.

I’m excited to see all of you in May!

Central Route Hotels

Midway Route Hotels

Southern Route Hotels

Sandbox Route Hotels

The Board of Directors is announcing a change in positions and responsibilities.

Following the untimely passing of Michael “Wizard” Turner last month, Alan “X-Box” Steiner is taking over the role of Director of Operations. With this change, we are also transferring responsibility for D.C. coordination from the President to the Director of Operations, so that Alan will be responsible for working directly with DC State Coordinator Ed Wehner in Springfield as well as California State Coordinator Carol Olmstead in Ontario.

Additionally, the Director of Operations’ roles and responsibilities are expanding to an enhanced emphasis on safety processes and procedures.

Angie “Den Mother” Holterman is stepping into the role of Director of Merchandise. Angie joined RFTW as an FNG in 2016 and now serves as the Southern Route Ambassador Lead. She has been working closely with Alan as the Merchandise Assistant and is excited to expand her contributions to our Mission.

The Run for the Wall Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Rob “X-Ceeds” Giddens is our new Director of Purchasing.

Rob retired from the USAF after 20 years and 10 months of service and has ridden Southern Route since 2008. A veteran of Operations DESERT STORM, SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM, Rob brings a wealth of logistics experience to the Board.

Welcome X-Ceeds!

Mission M25 and Run for the Wall are celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States military by giving one lucky VETERAN a customized Indian Chief motorcycle!

Mission M25 is proud to officially partner with Run For The Wall for a one-of-a-kind Motorcycle Giveaway to honor the 250th anniversary of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.

To celebrate this historic milestone, we are giving away a custom-painted Indian Motorcycle to a military veteran who has served our great nation with honor and courage.

This collaboration brings together two veteran-focused organizations with a shared mission:

• Mission M25: Serving as chaplains, hydration teams, and support riders during the annual Run For The Wall ride for over 20 years.
• Run For The Wall: A cross-country motorcycle ride that promotes healing, honors POW/MIA and KIA veterans, and raises awareness for those who served.

This giveaway is a tribute to the brave men and women who have defended our freedoms for 250 years.

Giveaway Rules:

• Eligibility: You must be a United States Veteran.
• You must have registered and completed at least one leg of Run For The Wall in the past.
• You must be located in the lower 48 states for Mission M25 to deliver it to you.
• Registration: You may register once per day until midnight, November 10th.
• Winner will be announced on Veterans Day 2025. Mission M25s goal is to deliver the bike to the winner in person in a timely manner after the winner is announced.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Michael “Wizard” Turner’s passing. Mike, a longtime supporter of RFTW and a member of the Board of Directors, was traveling with his wife Linda to the annual Texas Riders Reunion in Kerrville when he was lost in an unfortunate motorcycle mishap.

Details are limited, but it appears Wizard died from injuries sustained in the crash. His wife, Linda, remains hospitalized in Austin, TX receiving care for her serious injuries.

We ask that you keep Wizard, his wife Linda, along with friends and family, in your thoughts and prayers.

We are in touch with the family and will share more information as it becomes available.