Fayetteville will once again rally around a cause that is both sobering and unifying when the 10th Annual Man 22 Suicide Awareness Run steps off on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Festival Park.
The event, founded by Army veteran Rick “Rngr” Murillo, honors the memory of service members lost to suicide while raising awareness about a crisis that affects an estimated 22 veterans every day. What began a decade ago as a small grassroots tribute has grown into a large community gathering that blends remembrance with action.
Murillo launched the event in 2016 after losing his close friend and fellow paratrooper Barry Barker, who served in the 82nd Airborne Division. In interviews over the years, Murillo has said he struggled with the weight of his own experiences after the Army and decided to turn pain into purpose. The “22” in the event’s name represents the average number of veteran suicides reported daily in the United States.
The run is symbolic: participants cover 2.22 miles, then drop for 22 pushups. Both acts serve as a living memorial and a physical reminder of the toll veteran suicide has taken.
The first event drew just over 50 people. Now, hundreds come together each year, including military families, Gold Star parents, first responders, and civilians who want to show support.
This year’s 10th anniversary will include several new features alongside the familiar format. The day begins at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony, followed by the run through downtown Fayetteville. The schedule also includes a Gold Star Gala, a parachute demonstration by a veteran jump team, and an escort in honor of families who have lost loved ones.
Guest speakers, nonprofit resource tables, and live entertainment will round out the day, turning Festival Park into a hub for both solemn reflection and community fellowship.
Organizers say the message remains simple but urgent: veterans and their families are not alone, and the community is ready to stand with them.
The run is organized by Murillo’s nonprofit, Through Tragedy Comes Light, which supports suicide prevention and outreach efforts throughout North Carolina. Proceeds from T-shirt sales, vendor fees, and donations go back into local programs that provide counseling, peer support, and emergency resources for service members in crisis.
For Fayetteville, a city deeply tied to Fort Bragg and the 82nd Airborne Division, the issue strikes close to home. Local leaders, including city officials and veteran service organizations, have voiced support for the event as part of a broader push to address the challenges of transition, trauma, and mental health for soldiers leaving the military.
For participants, the Man 22 event is part memorial service, part fitness challenge, and part family reunion. Runners cross the finish line often hand-in-hand with children or battle buddies, then immediately drop to the ground for pushups in unison. Each pushup is counted out loud, sometimes through tears, as names of the fallen are read.
Vendors and community organizations line the park to offer information on resources such as the VA crisis line, peer mentorship programs, and local therapy groups. Music, food, and kids’ activities balance the heavy moments with an atmosphere of hope and resilience.
Gold Star families, in particular, say the event provides a place to see their loved ones remembered publicly. For many, hearing strangers shout the name of a fallen service member during the pushups is a moment of healing.
Organizers hope the 10th anniversary will not only celebrate a decade of impact but also renew urgency for the work still to be done.
“Twenty-two a day is not just a number, it’s fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters,” Murillo has said. “We gather to honor them, but also to remind those still here that there is help, there is hope, and we will not let them be forgotten.”

(Photo: Runners participate in the Man 22 Suicide Awareness Run. The run recognizes the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day, and helps to bring awareness to the community. Courtesy photos)