Community for Veterans: The Warrior Trail Foundation is Born

After retiring from the military, Christopher Raup found himself looking for a new way to serve. Seeking to help veterans like himself, he helped start and run the Wounded Warrior Patrol, a ski program for wounded warriors and their families.  After dedicating a decade to the Wounded Warrior Patrol, Raup found himself searching for the next steps. Driven to continue to build community for veterans, Chris began to put the pieces of the puzzle together. 

The Trail Running Community

“Trail running was transformational for me,” Raup recalls. “I realized the mental and physical benefits of this lifestyle could help other veterans.” 

Raup’s vision for the Warrior Trail Foundation emerged from a deep understanding of what he believes veterans need: community and purpose. Having been taken in by the trail community, Chris saw an opportunity to bring veterans together in our wild spaces.

When asked why he used the term “Warrior” for his foundation, Raup mentioned drawing inspiration from Sebastian Unger’s book “Tribe”. He believes the term “warrior” isn’t just about military service—it’s about facing adversity head-on. “A warrior is someone who willingly faces challenges, even when it carries significant risk of failure or peril,” Raup explains. “Whether you’re running a 100-mile race or tackling your first 50k, you have that warrior spirit.” The trail community would become a foundational piece in the foundation’s deeper mission.

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The True Cost of Veteran Struggles

The “22 veterans a day” statistic has become a rallying cry, but Raup sees a much deeper and more complex problem. While 18-22 veterans die by suicide daily, this number only scratches the surface of the true crisis.

“The real tragedy isn’t just the 22 suicides,” Raup emphasizes. “It’s the additional 20-plus veterans who die daily from self-harm—through alcoholism, drug overdoses, and slow self-destruction that doesn’t get classified as suicide.” He points out a critical issue: “The Veterans Health Administration is the largest health care provider in the nation, and yet there are significant gaps in coverage and care for our nation’s approximately 18 million veterans. As the number of veterans diagnosed with PTSD rose, so did the use of medication, many of which have proven ineffective.”

 A veteran might start with anxiety medication, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of addiction and diminished quality of life. Raup knows many incredible individuals working for the VA but is well aware of the lack of statistical change in the struggles of veterans. He views it as a systemic failure, not the fault of any one individual. Throwing funding at the problem really doesn’t solve anything.

Building a Healing Community

The Warrior Trail Foundation isn’t just another veteran support program. It’s a carefully crafted community designed to provide coaching, support, and a pathway to healing through trail running.

Currently, the foundation has 40 applicants, with 15 already receiving coaching. Raup’s goal is to continue adding coaches and Warrior Athletes, creating a network of support that goes beyond traditional therapeutic approaches. Athletes receive a year of coaching, gear, and race planning support. Opportunities to volunteer at races, serve as crew and pacers, and attend special events help build connection. 

More Than Just Running

The foundation’s approach is holistic. They’re planning events like a veteran contingent at the Mammoth Trail Fest with Timothy Tollefson, creating veteran gatherings before ultra-races, a 100-mile event, and developing monthly coaching calls and community runs.

One such powerful example is a 42-year-old athlete who overcame cocaine and alcohol addiction through trail running. “He’s sober, running 50-mile races, and most importantly, he’s alive,” Raup says. Raup is personally committed to the foundation’s success. He’s funding much of the work out of pocket and continues to seek partnerships and stakeholders to fulfill his mission of service.

“If we save just one life and help veterans reconnect with themselves and society, it’s a win,” he says, his voice filled with emotion.

A Hidden Epidemic

The foundation has uncovered another troubling issue: military sexual trauma. Of their 40 applicants, six are survivors—a number Raup finds deeply disturbing.

These numbers reveal a systemic problem that extends far beyond individual incidents, pointing to a widespread culture of silence and neglect that has left many veterans traumatized and struggling to find healing. In fact, research indicates that nearly 1 in 4 females in the U.S. military report having experienced a sexual assault.  A statistic Raup finds appalling. “As a retired army officer, I see this as a complete failure of leadership,” he states firmly. “We need to pull together to heal, educate, and demand change.” Extreme ownership is the only path forward. A mantra Raup firmly believes in and the basis of his life’s work.

The Vital Importance of Community

Community isn’t just a buzzword for the Warrior Trail Foundation—it’s a lifeline. In a world where less than 1% of Americans currently serve in the military (6% have ever served, mostly Vietnam era over 75-years old), veterans often find themselves isolated and misunderstood. Trail running becomes more than a sport; it’s a bridge to connection, understanding, and mutual support.

“Healthy lifestyle and behavior patterns are normalized within our community,” Raup explains. “We can take veterans from an environment where addiction is the norm to a lifestyle that celebrates resilience and personal growth.”

Looking Forward

Raup envisions a future where veterans who receive coaching will become coaches themselves, creating a self-sustaining cycle of support and healing. 

“This is about building resilience, developing tools, and helping veterans navigate life,” he says. “That’s our legacy.”

The Warrior Trail Foundation isn’t just a running program—it’s a lifeline, a beacon of hope, and a community for veterans seeking to reclaim their lives. For Christopher Raup and the Warrior Trail Foundation, this is only the beginning. “At my retirement ceremony, the Colonel I worked for gave me a final order. He said, “Don’t allow your military career to be your greatest accomplishment.” Raup is certainly fulfilling that order and finding himself in the process to build community for veterans.

To support the WTF, click HERE to make a monthly pledge or one-time donation.  The WTF is a 501(c)3 IRS approved non-profit corporation.

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