Memorial Day is right around the corner and for Premier CrossFit that means it’s time to take on the Murph Challenge.
At first glance, Murph may appear to be just another challenging CrossFit WOD. But the story behind it is one that will grip you and leave you with renewed hope that there are still heroes that possess unthinkable courage in our day.
Premier CrossFit will be hosting Murph on May 25th in memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, age 29, of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan on June 28th, 2005.
LT. Michael P. Murphy (SEAL) was the officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL element in Afganistan. Shortly after entering the objective area, the SEALs were spotted by three goat herders who were initially detained and then released. It is believed that the goat herders immediately reported the SEALs’ presence to Taliban fighters.
After that, things took a disastrous turn. But that’s when LT. Murphy stepped up and displayed incredible courage.
This summary of his heroic actions from TheMurphChallenge.com
“A fierce gun battle ensued on the steep face of the mountain between the SEALs and a much larger enemy force. Despite the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself, Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his teammates.
Murphy, intent on making contact with headquarters, but realizing this would be impossible in the extreme terrain where they were fighting, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own life moved into the open, where he could gain a better position to transmit a call to get help for his men.
Moving away from the protective mountain rocks, he knowingly exposed himself to increased enemy gunfire. This deliberate and heroic act deprived him of cover and made him a target for the enemy.
While continuing to be fired upon, Murphy made contact with the SOF Quick Reaction Force and requested assistance. He calmly provided his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force while requesting immediate support for his team. At one point, he was shot in the back causing him to drop the transmitter.
Murphy picked it back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy who was closing in. Severely wounded, LT. Murphy returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle.
LT. Murphy fought on, allowing one member of his team (Marcus Luttrell) to escape, before he was killed. For his selfless actions, LT. Michael Murphy was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on October 27, 2007. We honor his sacrifice and memory though The Murph Challenge.”
It takes a truly great man to stay strong in the face of danger, to protect another’s life without thought for your own, to stand up through searing pain after being shot and finish the heroic call for help with these brave words, “Roger that, thank you.”
This man knew what it meant to not give up, he knew what it meant to push through pain, he knew what it meant to be a warrior and protector.
And this is why we honor his memory through participating in the Murph challenge.
The Murph workout consist of:
1 mile Run
100 Pull-ups
200 Push-ups
300 Squats
1 mile Run
This is completed for time. This workout was one of Michael Murphy’s favorites and he had named it “Body Armor”. In honor of this great warrior, it has been given the name “Murph” and we do it to honor the sacrifice he made for his fellow soldiers and for his country.
Premier CrossFit is honored to be hosting this event in memory of this great man… And we want you to participate. We will be kicking things off at 9:00 AM. This is an event you don’t want to miss!