He Pulled a 4,400-Pound Truck for 31 Miles to Raise Awareness for Veterans
Over the past five years, 24-year-old endurance athlete and CrossFit coach Parker Fontecchio has taken on a series of grueling fitness challenges: a 72-mile farmer’s carry, 24 hours of 200-pound tractor tire flips, and a rope climb matching the height of Mount Everest. This month, he added another to his already impressive list, pulling a 4,400-pound truck using just a harness and his own power for 31 miles.
Fontecchio completed the challenge on November 5 to raise awareness for veterans’ suicide prevention alongside Mission 22, a nonprofit dedicated to the cause. He spent 19 hours and 13 minutes pulling his Toyota Tacoma across the 31-mile course. Fontecchio says his goal is to inspire those struggling with mental health and to show that taking one step at a time, setting goals, and surrounding yourself with a supportive community can help you accomplish what might have once seemed impossible.
Speaking with Men’s Journal, Fontecchio shared his training routine, what drives him to take on such extreme challenges, and his full stats.
Truck Pull Training Routine
Fontecchio trained for nine months leading up to the challenge, combining CrossFit workouts with specialized strength training focused on truck pulling. He pulled a wheeled sled loaded with around 250 pounds of weight, along with magnetic resistance to make it harder to move, two to three times per week for roughly 10 miles total each week.
Alongside this, he maintained his competitive CrossFit training and completed four truck pull–specific strength sessions weekly. These sessions included exercises like box squats, high-volume calf raises, and heavy sled pushes to build the necessary strength and endurance.
Stats
- Time: 5:10 p.m.-12:13 p.m., 19 hours and 13 minutes
- Truck: Toyota Tacoma, 4,400 pounds
- Distance: 31.07 miles
- Average pace: 32:47 minute/mile
- Steps: 106,440
- Donations raised: $12,930
His 'Why'
The U.S. faces a mental health crisis, with veterans bearing an especially heavy burden. Fontecchio’s motivation is about showing how resilient the human mind and body can be, even when facing seemingly impossible challenges. He also wants to raise awareness about the silent battles many people, especially veterans, face with mental health.
"Veterans will sacrifice their lives for this country and make it back home, only to feel alone, unwanted, or depressed—that should never happen," he said. "No veteran should return from war to continue fighting a war inside their own head."
Community is the Key to Success
Community is everything to Fontecchio, who said completing these events wouldn't be possible without the support of those around him.
"Between my girlfriend who became my nutritionist, my friends and family who flew in and focused on keeping the energy high, and my physical therapist who made it so I can keep going—that's what you keeps you going, even when it feels like there will be no end to the event. It's the community you surround yourself with," he said.
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