The final morning of my first Run For The Wall started with something we had not felt in days: cool air. After almost a week and a half of heat, humidity, and sweating through every layer possible, the breeze rolling through the staging area in Smithfield felt incredible. Riders stood around with coffee in hand enjoying the quiet morning before kickstands went up for our last full riding day together as Midway Route.
Even though it was early, everybody seemed wide awake. There was this strange mix of excitement and sadness hanging around staging. You could tell people were proud to be getting close to Washington, D.C., but at the same time nobody really wanted the ride to end.
Before departure, Chaplain Corps gathered everyone together for prayer. Like every morning on this mission, it brought everything back into perspective. No matter how many laughs, fuel stops, miles, or memories happen throughout the day, the reason we ride always comes first.
One thing that definitely kept the morning entertaining was Wind Dog walking around staging with what may have been the largest bag of popcorn ever seen at a movie theater parking lot.
Honestly, somewhere between North Carolina and Virginia, the popcorn became part of the convoy.
The ride into Virginia was smooth, and according to the medical team, it was a “boring trip,” which in Run For The Wall language is exactly what everybody hopes for. No major issues, no accidents, and thousands of riders continuing safely toward D.C.
At one point during the morning riders meet, FNG Coordinator Bullseye had everybody laughing while going over a few last-minute reminders before departure. Moments like that helped keep the mood light even as everyone realized the ride was starting to wind down.
Before arriving in Quantico, we stopped at Richmond Harley-Davidson for lunch, and honestly it felt like one big family cookout by that point in the trip. Volunteers had hotdogs and hamburgers ready for everybody along with drinks and yes… somehow even MORE popcorn. I genuinely do not know how popcorn became such a recurring theme on this run, but by Day 10 it had basically earned honorary rider status.
Riders filled the parking lot laughing, swapping stories, taking pictures, and trying to enjoy every last moment together before the final push toward D.C. Some people relaxed in the shade while others wandered through the dealership or checked out bikes, while a few people were stretched out sleeping on the couches inside the shop. After spending over a week together on the road, even simple lunch stops started feeling special because everybody knew the ride was almost over.
While we were there, Wind Dog was also presented with a kill switch ring because of his brand new nickname, and honestly the entire thing was hilarious. Everybody was laughing while he got completely roasted. Moments like that are such a huge part of this mission. Even after long exhausting days on the road, people still find ways to keep everybody smiling.One of the biggest stops of the day was the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. Unfortunately, this is where my ride for this year had to come to an end. I had to leave once we arrived at Quantico because I still had a long ride ahead of me to pick up my car before driving home for work early the next morning.
Thankfully, I have visited the Marine Corps Museum several times before, so while I hated leaving the group, I knew exactly how special that stop was for everyone experiencing it for the first time. Friends later told me about walking through the exhibits and seeing artifacts like the Iwo Jima flag and exhibits from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Several riders talked about how emotional the museum felt and how quiet parts of the building became as people stopped to take everything in.
One story multiple people told me about afterward was the Korean War exhibit and the famous Tootsie Roll story from the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Marines had requested mortar rounds using the code word “Tootsie Rolls,” but actual candy arrived instead. Ironically, the candy ended up helping troops survive in freezing temperatures because it could still be eaten frozen solid. It was one of those small unexpected pieces of history that sticks with people.
I also heard about the final riders meeting and how emotional it became as reality started setting in that the mission was almost over. Somewhere along these ten days, strangers became family.
Riders who barely knew each other in California were now hugging goodbye in Virginia like lifelong friends.
As I rode away from Quantico and started heading home, I had a lot of time to think. Before this year, I honestly thought Run For The Wall would probably be a one time experience for me. I thought I would do it once, say I completed it, make some memories, and move on.
But somewhere between the fuel stops, the laughter over comms, the endless miles, the emotional memorial visits, the early morning riders meetings, and the people who welcomed me in like family from day one, that completely changed.
What started as “just doing the ride once” turned into finding a family I never expected.
That is what makes the ending feel so bittersweet. I am exhausted, emotional, and sad that this year is ending, but at the same time I already know this is not goodbye for me.
As long as I am able to ride, I will keep coming back.
Until next year,
– Natalie ‘Guess Again 2’ Fielding
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 