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CINCINNATI — The Murph Challenge in honor of Lt. Michael Murphy, a Navy Seal who died in the line of duty, is a Memorial Day tradition many try to complete, and Cincinnati-area firefighters put in the extra sweat to complete the challenge. 

The Murph Challenge is 100 Pull-ups, 200 pushups, 300 squats and a mile run before and after the reps, all in a 20 pound vest.

And at the Sharonville Firehouse, the firefighters completed every last rep.

“It’s a tough workout, and it’s challenging,” said Danny Steed, a firefighter and paramedic with the Sharonville Fire Department. “I enjoy it.”

For Steed, he completes the challenge not just on Memorial Day but a few times throughout the year. He keeps in mind Lt. Murphy, who used to do this workout every day.

“The fact that he could do it daily is pretty unreal,” Steed said. “But definitely on Memorial Day, it’s something that we want to pay tribute to.”

For the firefighters, the challenge is a good way to be ready for their next call.

“In our job there are so many variables that are unpredictable on a day-to-day basis,” said Sean Loy, Local 4498 Union president. “Physical fitness is something that we can control and we can train with. We see that as an opportunity for team building.”

This year, the firehouse was an official sponsor of the event, to ensure every firefighter could do it together and donate to the scholarship fund in Lt. Murphy’s name.

“Everyone did it, everyone came in on their off day to do this,” Steed said. “It’s something that we’re proud to do and honored to be a host this year. I know everyone feels the same way they finish, that they’re glad it’s done, but at the same time they’re glad they did it.”

When that last rep is done, and they cross the finish line, it’s a feeling they know they’ll never forget.

To learn more about how to complete the Murph Challenge and how to train for it, visit The Murph Challange’s website.