ROCHESTER, N.Y. — For those celebrating during Memorial Day weekend, it can take many shapes. Some visit their loved ones in veteran cemeteries or even attend honoring ceremonies.
“My brother-in-law and my sister-in-law, they have gone on tours [and] sacrificed time with their family and put their lives at risk,” 2nd Sucks Total Fitness trainer Kenny Rogers said. “So who better to give back to?”
But for personal trainer Kenny Rogers, there's a different way to show support – the "Murph" fitness challenge.
All the proceeds are going to the Veterans Outreach Center.
“I know it's a great cause,” Rogers said. “I know that there's not enough help and anything that I could possibly do to give back to the community. I want to do that.”
Named in memory of Navy Seal Lt. Michael Murphy, who invented and regularly completed the exercise regime. The Medal of Honor recipient is remembered for his heroic actions during Operation Red Wings in 2005 in Afghanistan.
The challenge takes place each Memorial Day weekend.
“It's a great day to be outside doing a little pump outside,” participant Sarah Mang said. “We love to give back to the community. We have veterans in the family. To give back to a great cause is always a great thing.”
The challenge consists of a mile run, 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 body squats and finishes off with another one-mile run.
“At first we were like, hell no,” Mang said. “But then we realized it would be something that we could really push ourselves with and actually do together.”
Undergoing sweat, strength and patriotism-participants have found fitness as just one of the many ways to honor those who have served for the United States.
“I’ve watched it change so many people’s lives,” Rogers said. “This is the type of thing that our community needs, is people getting together, you know, in a positive way, challenging each other or supporting each other. Marrying it with my passion, which is exercise and really just helping people. I love to see people challenge themselves and feel good. So it's awesome.”