The first week's challenge is inspired by the US Ranger pre-training fitness tests, used to establish if the potential recruit has what it takes to hack it as an US soldier. Participants are required to walk or run the distance of 2 miles in as quick as time as possible, with points be awarded for faster the time, and perform as many sit-ups as possible in 2 minutes, with movement variations offered depending on your level of fitness.
Click the tabs below to view each brief.
2 Miles for Time
Run 2 miles (3.22km) in as quick as time as possible. Walking is allowed, though participants are encouraged to push themselves as hard as they can. For reference, the pass time for a US Ranger is 15m 00s, with 12m 00s being the gold standard.
You must finish in roughly the same place in which you started
As this is a timed challenge, to stop people just running down a hill to get the best time possible, you are required to end each run roughly in the same location in which you started. You can achieve this my either running out half way and then turning back on yourself, or, running a single looped route, or, multiple loops of a circuit.
Set treadmill to 2.5% gradient
It is preferred that you tackle this challenge outside. However, if you are unable to do so, you may use a treadmill to complete the challenge. If you do decide to use a treadmill, you must set the treadmill gradient to 2.5%.
Plan your route before departure
We recommend planning your route beforehand on a route planner ,such as Map My Run, to avoid any road crossings, keep the gradient to a minimum and to take the guess work out when conducting the challenge.
Eg: Strava, Garmin, Fitbit...
Advanced
12m 00s
12m 28s
12m 56s
13m 24s
13m 52s
14m 20s
14m 48s
15m 16s
15m 44s
16m 12s
16m 40s
17m 08s
17m 36s
18m 04s
18m 32s
19m 00s
19m 28s
19m 56s
20m 24s
20m 52s
21m 20s
21m 48s
22m 16s
22m 44s
23m 12s
23m 40s
24m 08s
24m 36s
25m 04s
25m 32s
26m 00s
26m 28s
26m 56s
27m 24s
27m 52s
28m 20s
28m 48s
29m 16s
29m 44s
30m 12s
30m 40s
31m 08s
31m 36s
32m 04s
32m 32s
33m 00s
33m 28s
33m 56s
34m 24s
34m 52s
35m 20s
35m 48s
36m 16s
36m 44s
37m 12s
37m 40s
38m 08s
38m 36s
39m 04s
40m 00s
Points
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1
Sit-ups in 2 minutes
Perform as many sit-ups as possible in 2 minutes. For reference, the pass standard for US Rangers selection is 60 repetitions, with the gold standard being 109 repetitions.
Feet must remain flat on the floor at all times.
You may use someone or something to support and hold them down if you wish.
Select which movement variation you would like to perform for the challenge.
Sit-ups
Fixed Arm Sit-ups (+10 Bonus Points)
Lie on your back. Bend your legs and place feet firmly on the ground. Cross your hands to opposite shoulders or place them behind your ears. Your hands must remain in that position throughout. Curl your upper body all the way up toward your knees. Slowly, lower yourself down, returning to your starting point.
Swinging Arm Sit-ups (+0 Bonus Points)
Lie on your back. Bend your legs and place feet firmly on the ground. Cross your hands to opposite shoulders or place them behind your ears. Curl your upper body all the way up toward your knees. You may swing your arms to give yourself momentum to lift your body up. Slowly, lower yourself down, returning to your starting point.
Video requirements
Film Recommendations
1 Point per completed repetition
Before submitting, please make sure you have ready:
Found on your Challenge Entry purchase confirmation email.
It is highly recommended that you complete the challenge within 7-days of its issue, however, we will accept submissions right up until 7-days after the end of the series. We will not accept submissions after this time.
This is a brutal physical challenge for which you are responsible for your own health and safety. It is imperative that you read through, understand and follow our health and safety guidelines before you embark on your challenge attempt. This list is only a guide. It is your responsibility to take the appropriate health and safety measures during the attempt of a challenge.
Consult a physician
You should consult a physician before you begin any strenuous exercise program, such as the one described on this website, especially if you have or suspect that you may have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or any other adverse medical conditions. If you feel faint or dizzy at any time while performing any challenges or exercise, stop immediately and seek medical evaluation.
Plan your route
On running challenges, we strongly recommend planning your route with online running route planners. This leaves out the guesswork, allowing you to know the distance and elevation before you embark on the challenge.
Let others know
When performing any challenge, we strongly recommend you let a friend or family member know what you are doing and where and when you are doing it and what time you are expected to return incase you face any difficulty.
Carry a mobile phone
We strongly advice that you carry with you a fully charged mobile phone and back up battery if possible.
Bad weather
Keep an eye on the weather forecast and make take the necessary precautions.
Nutrition and hydration
You are responsible for your own nutrition and hydration as this is a self-disciplined event. Please ensure you have enough fluids and food or adequate access to these. Click here to read our guide on fuelling correctly for this challenge.
If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to get in touch.