Navy SEAL Fitness Challenges Pit Public Against Military Elite

Tempe, AZ — The Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge is hitting the road again in 2009 with several events planned throughout the United States.

The free events are designed to challenge local athletes in tests of strength and endurance. The challenge consists of five events: a 500-yard swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and a 1.5-mile run.

Athletes in the Phoenix area tested their athletic skills against the Navy's top athletes in the first challenge of 2009, held March 14 at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.

More than 330 athletes participated in the Tempe event to compare their fitness levels against standards for Naval Special Warfare operators, including Navy SEALs, special warfare combatant-craft crewmen, explosive ordnance disposal technicians and Navy divers.

All competitors are scored and ranked against one another. Scores are then posted online. Military officials say challenge activities closely mirror the Navy SEAL initial physical screening test.

Visit www.sealfitnesschallenge.com for the dates of the remaining Navy SEAL Fitness Challenges in 2009.