Navy SEAL lieutenant’s legacy lives on through Memorial Day weekend workout challenge

(The Murph Challenge, YHN)

Former Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy was tragically killed in action more than 20 years ago, but his legacy lives on throughout the country as fitness enthusiasts attempt to complete a workout he devised while in basic training.

According to a story from the New York Post, folks worldwide attempt to complete the insane worldwide workout Murphy and his friend and former SEAL Kaj Larsen developed during basic underwater demolition/SEAL training (BUD/s). The workout is a 1 mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats and another 1-mile run to finish it off.

“I think Murph is somewhere up there in Frogman heaven, smiling down at all these people who honor fallen service members through sweat and sacrifice,” Larsen said to the Post. “I think nothing would have made him happier than to know that was part of his legacy.”

Every year, fellow former SEAL Chris Wyllie — who runs the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Museum on Long Island — hosts the “Murph” challenge as folks show up and try to complete the workout together.

“We had 366 sign up and are expecting even more. Last year we had 280,” Wylie said. “There are quite a few people who usually show up and get humbled a little bit…It’s that you push yourself another rep or two further than you thought, because then that’s a win, that’s a victory. Just do the best that you can do, where you get an emotional reaction from the Murph challenge. Especially during Memorial Day weekend, when we’re honoring our fallen.”

In the article, it was revealed that Murphy was killed by the Taliban in 2005 during “Operation Red Wings” while intentionally exposing himself to enemy fire while calling in reinforcements to try to save the rest of his squad. His heroism as well as numerous others is shown in the blockbuster 2013 film “Lone Survivor” which was based on the operation.

Beyond the big screen though, Murphy’s legacy continues to live on every year in Long Island, and will during this weekend’s edition of the Murph Challenge.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.