The sound of cheering filled the air on Governors Island in New York City as hundreds of participants including veterans, military families, and civilians took on the fourth annual No Obstacles Race for the Warriors, hosted by Paine Schwartz Partners. The 5K obstacle race isn’t just about fitness. It’s about community. It’s about resilience. And it’s about proving, as Hope For The Warriors often reminds us, that no one has to go at it alone.
Among the participants was Army veteran Ray Soto, who served 23 years in the U.S. Army and knows firsthand the power of teamwork and connection. “We’re never meant to be alone,” Ray said. “And that’s what Hope For The Warriors and Spartan races have in common. People are struggling out there, but you’re never alone on the course, and that’s what life should be like too.”
As Ray reflected on the race, he drew a powerful parallel between the event and his time in service: “When we were deployed, no one was ever alone. We were always in it together. And that’s what I love about this event. It gives civilians a glimpse of what that camaraderie feels like.”
From sandbag pulls to climbing walls, the obstacles became more than physical challenges. They were symbols of the emotional and mental barriers veterans face during and after service, and a reminder that healing often happens together, not in isolation.
After two decades in uniform, Ray admits he struggled with PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and loneliness. Running became his outlet, but it was solitary. That changed when he found Hope For The Warriors. “Running was my therapy, but it was lonely. Hope For The Warriors showed me that I didn’t have to go at it alone.”
Through Team HOPE, Ray reconnected with other veterans who shared his love for endurance sports. He found a network that met him where he was physically and emotionally.
“Hope For The Warriors doesn’t just create events. They ask, ‘What do you need? What’s meaningful to you?’ They meet us where we are, and every veteran’s journey looks different.”
When asked about his turning point, Ray shared a deeply personal reflection: “As I lost friends to suicide, I realized we need each other. The numbers will keep climbing if we try to handle things alone. HOPE gave me that mindset shift from just surviving to rebuilding.”
He credits Hope For The Warriors with not only helping him find community again but also giving him a platform to mentor other veterans whether they’re walking their first mile or training for an ultramarathon.
Ray’s wife, Roxane, joined him at the race. For both of them, events like No Obstacles are about rebuilding together and making up for lost time. “Hope For The Warriors says, ‘Bring your family.’ They know it’s not just about the veteran; it’s about everyone who serves alongside them.”
As a family, they’ve found healing in shared experiences, trading deployments and missed anniversaries for new memories made together.
Ray’s message to fellow veterans and supporters is simple yet profound: don’t let the obstacles define you.
Whether running a 5K or a 50-mile ultramarathon, Ray approaches every challenge with determination and a bit of fun, often dressed as a Spartan warrior to inspire others.“If I can run in a Spartan costume, you can do this. I want people to smile, to laugh, and to realize they’re capable of more than they think.”
Ray Soto’s journey with Hope For The Warriors is one of transformation from isolation to connection, from survival to leadership. His story embodies the spirit of the No Obstacles Race: pushing forward, together.
“We all have obstacles. But with the right people around you, there’s nothing you can’t overcome.”
