23-05-2025
Medal of Honor hero Lt. Murphy inspires Murph Challenge
PEORIA Ill. (WMBD) — The Resilience Project undertakes the Murph Challenge to honor the legacy of a U.S. sailor and all veterans on Memorial Day weekend.
It's the annual Lt. Michael Murphy challenge, named for the Navy SEAL who died in 2005 while in Afghanistan and in the process earned the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor.
The Resilience Project was created by combat veterans with a goal to help other vets transition back into civilian life.
'Twenty-two veterans commit suicide a day, our goal is to reduce that in the Peoria area, down to zero,' said Dr. Ben Deig of Peoria Spine and Sport and also a veteran
The group offers educational resources, some financial assistance, and a variety of physical and mental health services, and on Memorial Day weekend, the Murph Challenge as a way of fueling the help that the RP provides.
The workout consists of a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats and another mile run. And you do all that while wearing 20 additional pounds of weight. The weight is akin to how Murphy used to wear body armor while undertaking his workout.
Registration for the challenge ranges from $35 – $60.
Added Deig: 'Not gonna lie, it's a tough workout' but also reminded that one doesn't need to do the challenge to donate, 'come out, hang out with us. It's more community engagement and building than it is to suffer through the workout.'
The Murph Challenge begins at 10 a.m., May 24, at House Barbell Club, 7920 N. Sommer St., Peoria.
Murphy was killed in late June 2005 during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan. His four-man SEAL team was hunting a Taliban leader in Kunar province. Insurgents found his and his team's position and a furious firefight erupted. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his courage when he abandoned cover in an effort to call for backup.
The firefight and the battle were featured in the movie 'Lone Survivor.'
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