South Lake Tahoe, Calif. — August 2, 2025
In a powerful show of grit and compassion, a former Navy SEAL has launched an ultra-endurance event circling the 72-mile perimeter of Lake Tahoe to bring national attention to veteran suicide—a crisis that claims an average of 22 lives a day in the U.S.
The inaugural “Mission 22 Ultra Challenge,” scheduled for October 5, will begin and end at Lakeview Commons in South Lake Tahoe. Participants, including veterans, first responders, and civilian supporters, are invited to run, bike, or ruck through one of the nation’s most scenic yet demanding terrains to honor fallen service members and raise funds for mental health initiatives.
“This race is more than a physical challenge,”
said event founder and retired Navy SEAL Ryan Caldwell, who completed four tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“It’s a mission to carry the names of the brothers and sisters we’ve lost—and to ensure we don’t lose more to silence.”
Caldwell, a longtime mental health advocate who himself battled post-traumatic stress after retiring from the military in 2014, said the idea came during a solo run around Tahoe last fall, when he reflected on friends lost and those still struggling. The effort soon evolved into a nonprofit partnership with Warrior Resilience Project, an organization providing therapy, housing, and community support for veterans and their families.
Participants can register individually or in relay teams, and may choose to dedicate each mile to a specific veteran lost to suicide. A virtual option is also available for those who wish to support remotely. Event sponsors include REI, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., and the El Dorado County Veterans Alliance.
The race will be supported by volunteer medics, local search and rescue teams, and hydration stations every 10 miles. A candlelight vigil and reading of names will be held at the finish line.
Local officials have voiced strong support for the event.
“This is exactly the kind of community-driven awareness campaign we need,”
said El Dorado County Supervisor Brooke Laine.
“Veteran suicide is a public health emergency that must be met with bold and heartfelt action.”
Caldwell hopes to expand the event nationally in future years, bringing the challenge to other iconic landscapes while keeping Lake Tahoe as the symbolic heart of the mission.
To register or volunteer, visit mission22ultra.org.
