Army Captain, with Colon Cancer, to Walk Marathon Route with Full Gear and Gas Mask

Before many of you are awake, U.S. Army Capt. Justin Fitch, who is battling stage 4 colon cancer, will begin his walk along the Boston Marathon route to raise money for veterans.

Fitch, who works at Natick Labs, estimates the walk will take him 12 hours from his start time of 6 a.m. He will walk in full body armour, carrying 50 to 60 pound backpack and wearing a M40 gas mask.

He added the body armour after reaching a $10,000 fundraising goal and the gas mask when he reached $15,000. 

As of midnight, he had raised more than $16,000 for Active Heroes.

The Mission of Active Heroes is to strengthen military families, serve veterans and benefit active duty military by providing financial support and community reintegration. Active Heroes is dedicated to connecting and helping America’s military families through financial assistance, active challenges, leadership training and community outreach to halt the triggering point and stress associated with “hard times” that lead to suicide.

Fitch and other members of Team Minuteman will ruck today, Nov. 10 along the Boston Marathon route. Fitch and his 18 teammates have raised $31,611 as of midnight Sunday, Nov.10.

Known by his friends as JROCK, Fitch is the R&D detachment commander at Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center.

"He is the definition of never quit, never give up, never stop moving forward," said Framingham Realtor Mark Galante, who made Framingham Patch aware of today's trek. "He is battling, and I mean battling, stage 4 colon cancer. Despite this challenge he is selflessly raising money for a cause that is very important to him - the alarming rate of suicides among young men and women in uniform."