The Vitamin Shoppe Supports Veterans' Wellness Through Old Glory Ultra Relay Event

The Vitamin Shoppe Champions Veterans' Wellness in the Old Glory Ultra Relay

In a remarkable demonstration of support for veterans, The Vitamin Shoppe®, a leading omni-channel retailer of nutritional products, has partnered with Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) as a major sponsor of the Old Glory Ultra Relay. This extraordinary relay run, which will cover an impressive 3,000 miles from San Diego to Washington, D.C., aims to raise awareness for veterans' wellness. The relay starts on May 2 and features a 12-member team of elite endurance runners, all of whom are U.S. military veterans committed to setting a world record while carrying the iconic American flag, known as 'Old Glory', the whole way through.

The journey will kick off from the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, and the team is expected to maintain a speedy pace of 7 to 8-minute miles. Their goal is to reach the finish line at the forthcoming Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the National Mall between May 17 and May 19, depending on their pace. To ensure the runners are adequately fueled for this exhausting journey, The Vitamin Shoppe has collaborated with top sports nutrition brands like BodyTech®, JOCKO FUEL, RAW Nutrition, REDCON1, and 1st Phorm to provide premium performance products, essential for enhancing endurance and recovery.

Engaging Local Communities

As part of the excitement surrounding the relay, The Vitamin Shoppe invites local communities along the route to join the event. The relay will make stops at various Vitamin Shoppe locations, including Tempe, AZ on May 4, Knoxville, TN on May 16, and Charlottesville, VA on May 17. Community members can participate in festivities including in-store celebrations, giveaways, and opportunities to meet runners, fostering a powerful connection between athletes and local supporters. These events will allow people to cheer for the team as they carry Old Glory during their incredible journey.

A Commitment to Veterans

As Lee Wright, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe, stated, "We are honored to support the Old Glory Ultra Relay and the mission of Team RWB. Our Health Enthusiast teams are excited to cheer on these amazing runners and proud to help fuel their mission with essential nutrition. Having grown up in military settings, I understand how vital support systems are for veterans and their families."

Since 2020, The Vitamin Shoppe has significantly invested in supporting Team RWB's veteran wellness initiatives, raising over $280,000 to date. Team RWB, which serves more than 250,000 members nationwide, offers a range of community events and fitness programs to enhance the lives of veterans, service members, and their families.

The Stories of Resilience

Among the 12 runners are decorated Army Rangers, wounded warriors, and West Point graduates, all with inspiring backgrounds of service and determination. Dr. Mary E. Kreis, a former U.S. Army Major and one of the relay runners, credits her training and performance to the expert advice received from The Vitamin Shoppe. She acknowledges the importance of nutritional supplements to fuel her performance.

Join the Cause

Those interested in supporting the Old Glory Ultra Relay can contribute directly to Team RWB and learn more about the athletes involved by visiting the Team RWB website. Additionally, a special pre-workout formula from BodyTech, available exclusively at The Vitamin Shoppe, dedicates $1 per unit sold to Team RWB, encouraging further support for their mission of aiding veterans.

With ongoing initiatives like Military Mondays, which provides discounts for service members, The Vitamin Shoppe continues to solidify its commitment to the military community. As they embark on this legacy-building run, the Old Glory Ultra Relay represents not just a remarkable athletic achievement, but a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting our veterans and their well-being.

For more information about The Vitamin Shoppe and its offerings, visit www.vitaminshoppe.com.