'The Murph Challenge' honors fallen U.S. Navy SEAL each Memorial Day

WASHINGTON (TND) — An annual fundraiser not only challenges the minds and bodies of participants, it honors a U.S. Navy SEAL who was killed in the line of duty and raises funds for a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to children in need.

"The Murph Challenge" is an intense CrossFit workout held every year on Memorial Day at various locations across the globe. It starts with a one-mile run, followed by 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 squats, and topped off with another one-mile run -- all while wearing a 20-pound vest or body armor.

It was inspired by Lt. Michael P. Murphy, who invented and regularly completed the exercise regime.

The yearly event benefits the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation, which was created by Murphy's parents and brother in 2007 after he died serving the nation.

Participants are pushed to their limits and are encouraged to keep pushing through the pain and exhaustion, just as Lieutenant Murphy did during his final moments," The Murph Challenge website notes. "The event is held annually on Memorial Day, and people from all over the world come together to honor Lieutenant Murphy and all those who have given their lives in service to our country. The Murph Challenge is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our military and a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit."

Murphy, according to the U.S. Navy, was killed in 2005 during Operation Red Wings, a battle with Taliban fighters in Asadabad, Afghanistan. He and three fellow SEALs were scouting Ahmad Shah, a terrorist.

The SEAL mission was compromised when the team was spotted by local nationals, who presumably reported its presence and location to the Taliban," the U.S. Navy noted.

Murphy and his team were soon showered with bullets, with the brave SEAL moving away from protective terrain to obtain a signal for his satellite phone so he could make a call and get help.

As gunfire exploded around him, he made contact with the SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base.

He calmly provided his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force while requesting immediate support for his team," the U.S. Navy noted. "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, Murphy returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle."

Murphy, who was just 29 years old, later died from his wounds, while Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny Dietz and Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew Axelson were also killed.

A SEALs helicopter that arrived to rescue them was gunned down. All 16 men aboard died.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell, who was seriously hurt, was the only one of the four to make it out alive.

By the end of the battle, the U.S. Navy said an estimated 35 Taliban were also dead.

A few years after his passing, Murphy was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The goal of "The Murph Challenge" is to pay tribute to his legacy, as well as raise funds and awareness for the Memorial Scholarship Foundation. According to its website, Murphy loved to read and believed education was critically important.

In fact, his favorite saying was "Education will set you free,'" the website noted. "That is why the Murphy Family used their own funds to start the Foundation."

The event is annually presented by Forged, a company started by military members. The business sells clothing and other apparel, with a portion of each sale donated to military-affiliated nonprofits that help wounded veterans and their families.

In a letter to 2024 participants, Daniel Murphy, who is Murphy's brother, said Forged has raised more than $2 million for the Foundation and the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum/Sea Cadet Training Facility.

"As a result of Forged’s success with the 'Murph Challenge' and the monies raised by all of you who have participated in this CrossFit program with Forged, the LT Murphy Scholarship Foundation now awards more than $200,000 every year with 40 scholarships to children’s educational needs," he wrote.

Learn more about "The Murphy Challenge" at themurphchallenge.com.

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