Weight of War
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WoWs Story
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About
The Weight of War
Our Mission: Shoulder the Load.
Weight of War exists to ensure no Australian veteran carries the burden of service alone. Founded on the principle that a good man protects others, we provide the mentorship, physical resilience training, and direct support required to bridge the gap between military service and civilian life. We operate under the conviction that the duty of service is not shed with the uniform.
Our Values:
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Tradition: We hold to the core values of courage, integrity, and mateship. We are veteran-led and veteran-focused, speaking the unfiltered truth of our experience.
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Shared Burden: We operate on the principle that no weight is too heavy when carried together. We are a community of action.
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Resilience: We use physical and mental challenges to forge a harder, more capable veteran. We lead from the front.
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Perpetual Duty: We believe that service and duty do not end at discharge. If a man has the ability to help, he has the obligation to act. We remain the shield for those who can no longer carry the weight alone.
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The Next Mission: We don't just "transition" veterans; we re-purpose them. We help veterans find their next objective in civilian life with the same discipline they held in uniform.
The Symbolism: The Vest & The Budgys
What we do is symbolic. It's designed to start a conversation.
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The 10kg Weighted Vest: This is a physical manifestation of the invisible weight our veterans carry every single day. It's the burden of memories, the sleepless nights, the relentless internal battle. When you put on the vest, you are making a statement: "I see the weight you carry, and I am here to help shoulder it."
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The Budgy Smugglers: It's confronting. It's meant to be. It takes immense vulnerability to admit you're struggling and to ask for help. The budgys represent that raw, uncomfortable, but necessary step. It’s an act of defiant, dark humour, the kind that bonds soldiers, to approach a dark subject and strip away its power.
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Our Impact: From Mates to a Movement
What started in 2021 with a few mates running along the Brisbane River has become a powerful, community-driven force. We are a 100% free-to-enter event, driven by purpose, not-for-profit.
To date, this movement has:
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Brought together over 750 participants and thousands of supporters across our Brisbane, Karratha, Cronulla & virtual events.
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Raised a combined total of $69,424.31 through community fundraising and sponsorship.
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Funded a spot for more than 42 veterans on the life-changing Survive to Thrive Nation (STTN) program, giving them tangible tools to rebuild and thrive.
Our Community: No One Gets Left Behind
This is not a race. We don't care about your finish time. We care about the person to your left and right. We start as a team, and we finish as a team. The mission isn't over at the finish line; the debrief and the beer afterwards are just as important. It’s where we connect, share stories, and reinforce the bonds that make this community unbreakable.
This is our commitment. This is our mission.
Join us!
Shoulder the Load. Move Together.
Meet the Founder:
Josh Atkins
The Man Behind the Mission
The Weight of War Run was born from direct experience, founded by veteran Josh Atkins. After a career in the Australian Army, Josh, like so many others, confronted the reality that the toughest battles often begin after service ends.
He saw firsthand the devastating impact of the veteran suicide crisis and the silent struggles his mates were facing. Frustrated by a system that wasn't providing the right kind of support, Josh knew that simply raising awareness wasn't enough. Action was required.
From a Problem to a Purpose
Driven by a clear mission. To bring back the sense of team, purpose, and uncompromising support that defines military service, Josh created the Weight of War Run. The concept was simple but powerful: create an event where veterans and the civilians who support them could stand shoulder-to-shoulder, do something undeniably hard, and connect in a real, authentic way.
It wasn't designed to be a gentle "fun run." It was designed to be a gut check. The weighted vest became the symbol of the internal fight made external. The budgy smugglers became the symbol of the vulnerability required to confront that fight, using the kind of dark humour that bonds soldiers to break the stigma. The post-run beer became the modern-day debrief, a place to share stories and connect.
Josh leads from the front, shouldering the load alongside every participant on the day. His vision is not just to run an event for veterans, but to build a powerful bridge between the military and civilian worlds. He is creating a self-sustaining community where civilians can stand with our veterans, help carry the weight, and ensure no one has to face the fight alone.
Media Partner
"In 2024 & 2025, we had a clear picture in our minds of what we wanted for the Weight of War Run promo, but we struggled to explain it. Allie from Crombie Collective took those rough ideas, filmed the event with precision, and delivered a finished product (as above) that was exactly what we had hoped for. The content she created captured the energy and meaning of the run perfectly and has become a cornerstone of promoting this year’s event.
Allie has a real talent for turning half-formed concepts into polished, professional content that connects with people. If you want someone who can take your vision and bring it to life, I can’t recommend Crombie Collective highly enough."
Weight of War Run 2026 - FAQs
1. What is the Weight of War Run? The Weight of War Run is the flagship community event for Weight of War Ltd, a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee. Our mission is to ensure no Australian veteran carries the burden of service alone. The event raises funds to sponsor veterans onto life-changing transition and mental health programs, symbolising the "weight of war" through a 21km run in a weight vest and budgy smugglers, balancing physical strength with human vulnerability.
2. When and where is the event taking place? The event will be held on 5 December 2026 at the following locations:
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0430h Karratha, WA
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1100h Brisbane, QLD: 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000 (Setting off from Felons Brewing Co.)
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1100h Cronulla, NSW: 38R Gerrale St, Cronulla NSW 2230 (Setting off from Cronulla RSL)
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1100h Canberra, ACT: 7/81 Giles St, Kingston ACT 2604 (Setting off from The Dock)
3. Why a weight vest and budgy smugglers? This choice is rooted in our Core Values of Shared Burden and Resilience. The vest symbolises the internal and external challenges faced by those who have served. The budgy smugglers represent the vulnerability required to speak up and bridge the gap between military service and civilian life.
4. Do I have to run the full 21km? No. While the 21km run is our primary "Movement" to raise awareness, we offer scaled distances of 10km, 5km, and 1km. Whether you walk, ride, or scoot, the goal is the act of participation and community support.
5. Is there a virtual participation option? Yes! We welcome participants from across Australia and the world to join the movement virtually, ensuring that the "Shared Burden" is felt regardless of geography.
6. How do I register? Registration is free for all participants and spectators. Weight of War Ltd is committed to being inclusive and accessible to the entire veteran and civilian community.
7. Who are the sponsors for this year's event? Our proud sponsors for the Weight of War Run 2026 are Advanced Deconstruction, Felons Brewing Co, Cronulla RSL, The Dock, Pain 2 Performance, Matter Athletica, Athletic Training Protocols, Total Advocacy Consultants, Intraface, Stone,
8. How can I prepare for the event? Preparation is about more than physical fitness; it’s about The Next Mission. Use your training to connect with fellow participants and build a network of support, reflecting the discipline and mateship held in uniform.
9. What is the significance of the event? The event serves our charitable object of "advancing social and public welfare." It is a public testament to stories untold, helping veterans re-purpose their skills and find new objectives in civilian life with the same integrity they showed in service.
10. How are my donations managed? Weight of War Ltd is a Not-for-Profit entity. Under our Constitution, all income must be applied solely to our charitable objects. To ensure that your contributions have the maximum impact, we actively seek corporate sponsorships to cover the brunt of our operational and administrative costs (such as insurance, compliance, and infrastructure). This structure ensures that the donations made by our community go primarily and directly towards our charitable endeavours, allowing us to sponsor more veterans onto life-changing programs.
11. How can I get involved other than running? You can volunteer, sponsor, or support as a spectator. All third-party hosts and volunteers operate under strict safety and values-alignment guidelines to ensure the "Weight of War" reputation is upheld.
12. What is the history and outcome of previous runs? While Weight of War Ltd is now a formalised company, we recognise the Legacy and Continuity of the mission started in 2021. In the five years prior to incorporation (2021–25), this movement raised $69,424.31, a total we continue to build upon as we support the next generation of veterans.
13. How can I spread the word? Share our mission and values on social media. By highlighting the "unfiltered truth" of the veteran experience, you help us act as a shield for those who can no longer carry the weight alone.
14. Can I bring my family and friends? Absolutely. We encourage families to attend to foster a community of action. We simply ask that all attendees register (for free) to assist with our insurance and safety compliance.
15. How will I know if I win a raffle? Raffle processes may vary depending on the host venue, so please ensure you check the specific Terms & Conditions at your local location. As an example, for our Brisbane event at Felons, when you purchase your ticket via the Me&U app, the contact details provided will be used to notify you of a win.
16. How are winners chosen? Winners are selected via a random number generator. Per our governance standards for transparency, winners have 5 business days to confirm. If no contact is made, the prize is redrawn to ensure fairness.
17. What if I don't want a prize? You may decline any prize. It will be redrawn for another participant. In the spirit of "Traditional Integrity," prizes cannot be swapped; we maintain a "you get what you get and you don’t get upset" policy to keep the focus on the charitable cause.
Sponsors
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