Athletes conquer Murph Challenge

For some, a 1,6-kilometre run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats and a second 1,6-kilometre run did not sound like much on paper.

April 24, 2018

Stefan de Villiers 1 minute read

But athletes got more than what they bargained for when this mammoth workout pushed them to their absolute limit during the first-of-its-kind Murph Challenge held at Hoërskool Bergvlam this past weekend.

According to one of the organisers, Ruhan Koekemoer, it provided an excellent platform to put basic fitness to the test and experience camaraderie. It was a get-together to remember.

The male and female winners of the hardcore division (wearing a weighted vest or body armour) each walked away with a R10 000 cash prize and individual winners each walked away with R2 000.

Bernard van Renssen from Pretoria was the first male to complete the hardcore individual challenge, and did so in a very respectable 45:58.

Also from Pretoria, Sibyl Cooke took the spoils when she finished in just over an hour.

The locals really shone in the individual challenge (non-weighted). Victor Picoto Jr was the first male to finish, and did so in 56:19. He was closely followed by the first female, Erika Victor, whose time of 58:40 secured a well-deserved win.

The first team who finished the challenge was Dream Team, who did so in 28:16. In the kiddies’ challenge, the Gymnastic 4 reigned supreme in 20:42.

The organisers also added a sprint event which consisted of a 800-metre run, 50 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, 150 squats and a second 800-metre run. Andrew Martin won this event
in 27:00.