Memorial Day fitness fundraiser honors Lt. Michael P. Murphy
Nevada Fitness held its Memorial Day Murph Challenge on May 31, 2021 at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children to honor Navy Seal Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, who died in Afghanistan in 2005 in the line of duty. The physical fitness fundraiser included a series of fitness trials for attendees to complete while honoring all those who have sacrificed.
Each year on Memorial Day, gyms across the country hold Murph Challenges; local Nevada Fitness holds this fitness challenge to remember and honor Lt. Murphy. Completing the Murph Challenge is about more than a grueling workout, it’s about being humbled, pushing hard, and putting participants’ bodies through some physical pain to honor those who sacrificed everything for this country.
“Nevada Fit was honored to host the Murph Challenge on Memorial Day in remembrance of Lt. Michael Murphy and those who have sacrificed their lives serving our country,” said Royce Laguerta of Nevada Fit. “Though we cannot match the sacrifices made by the men and women in service, we are proud to lead a group of participants through one of the most challenging CrossFit workouts to show our support and pay tribute to our nation’s heroes. Not only did we have the chance to honor and support the Michael Murphy Foundation, but we also raised funds for St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, an amazing organization here in Southern Nevada. This was truly a special day.”
The Murph Challenge includes a 1-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, and another 1-mile run, all in a 20-pound weight vest or body armor. Scaling options are available for all levels of fitness to participate, including some of the children that live at the Ranch.
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, a community of hope and healing, hosted the annual event this Memorial Day at 100 St. Jude’s Street, Boulder City, Nev. and donors received a free shirt with proof of donation to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s Red Heart Giving Society, a monthly donor giving program.
“Especially on Memorial Day, when we honor all those who have made the biggest sacrifice for our country, we are grateful for sponsors like Nevada Fit and Universal Engineering who understand the sacrifices that our own children and young people bear with the burden of being a victim of abuse and neglect,” said St. Jude’s Ranch for Children Chief Executive Officer Christina Vela.