To honor fallen military personnel and increase campus wide wellness, participants in Total Fit’s Murph Challenge will take on a classic CrossFit workout that is notoriously difficult but adaptable for all fitness levels on Saturday, according to event organizer and Hillsdale Health and Wellness Center personal trainer, senior Charles Kennedy.

The Murph Challenge will begin on Saturday, April 18, at 9 a.m. in the Founders Gym. Designed and named in honor of Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy, who was killed in Afghanistan, the workout consists of a one-mile run, followed by 100 pull-ups, 200 pushups, and 300 air squats, and concludes with another one-mile run. 

“I understand that it’s a daunting task to complete this workout,” Kennedy said. “But I’m a certified CrossFit trainer and have a lot of experience scaling workouts. If you have any sort of desire to engage in physical activity and you like doing that with other people, then this workout is for you.”

According to Kennedy, the Murph is all about shared effort.

“The cool thing about CrossFit is that no matter your experience or fitness level, it’s accessible,” Kennedy said. 

The event, now in its third year, usually draws between 20 and 40 participants. Kennedy said the atmosphere of encouragement and camaraderie is the best part of the event.

“It’s really fun seeing people working together and finishing together,” Kennedy said. 

Sophomore Noah Abrudeanu, who participated in the Murph Challenge last year, said he is looking forward to this Saturday. 

“Last time was brutal,” Abrudeanu said. “The squats almost killed me. I had to sort of hobble the last mile, but then at the very end I got my second wind back and was able to finish strong.”