Submission Deadline
The final challenge in the Rucking Hell Series is inspired by the HotShot 500 fitness test created by the Wild Land Firefighters in America, billed as one of the toughest fitness tests in the world.
The Wild Fire Furnace is a distance challenge which also consists of number of push-ups, flutter kicks, bent-over rows, pack curls, overhead presses, burpees and squats. You can choose to either hike or run the challenge, although challengers are encouraged to complete the challenge in as quick as time as possible.
Points are also awarded for the amount of elevation gain you achieve during the challenge (max 1,500ft), ending as soon as you hit your perscribed distance.
If you want to really up the ante, you can also choose compete the challenge bearing a load of either 0kg (no load), 5kg, 10kg, 15kg or 20kg.
5kg
10kg
15kg
20kg
Do the exercises in any order
There’s no prescribed sets (e.g. do 2 sets of 25 push-ups, etc.). That’s on you. Personally, I like to complete one exercise before I start the next one. But some people like to do 10 push-ups, 10 curls, etc. Finish your exercises. Then stop, dust yourself off, and start hiking again.
The challenge ends when you complete the distance and all reps
A bit of advice – it is tremendously demoralising to finish the distance and know that you still have 50 shoulder presses left to do. Finish them before you arrive.
You are NOT required to video record your attempt
Due to the complexities of this challenge, you are not required to video record your exercises as evidence. Instead, you just have to track your challenge attempt on your GPS fitness tracker.
Choose your movement variations depending on your level of fitness.
Push-Ups (+5pts)
To do a push-up, start in a plank position with hands shoulder-width apart, body straight, and toes on the floor. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, then push back up to the starting position.
Kneeling Push-Ups
A kneeling push-up is a modified version of a standard push-up. Start on your knees with hands shoulder-width apart, body straight from head to knees. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, then push back up.
You perform this move by lying on your back while holding your pack directly above your chest and using your core to “flutter” your legs up and down like you're swimming.
Grab your weighted load, hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart. With your legs slightly bent, keep your back perfectly straight and bend your upper body until it’s almost perpendicular to the floor. From here pull the weight upwards into the lower part of your chest. Pause. And return under control to the start position.
While holding the weighted load in both hands, curl the load to shoulder height. With control, lower the load back down until your arms are both straight.
Press the load overhead and continue to press until your arms are locked out. EWith control, return the barbell to the front-rack position.
Burpees (+5pts)
Start in a standing position, lower your body down, put your hands on the ground and kick your legs out into the top position of a push-up. Hop and tuck you legs back in and then explode up with your legs jumping about 3-inches from the ground. Land softly back into the standing position to complete one rep.
Controlled Standing Burpees
Start in a standing position, lower your body down into the top position of a push-up. Bring one leg in at a time until you are in the bottom position of a squat. Push up with your legs back into a standing position to complete one rep.
Keep your feet at shoulder width apart and pointed straight ahead. When squatting, your hips will move down and back until your hips dip slightly lower than your knees. Your back should be kept straight, and your heels should stay flat on the floor the entire time.
Get the heart going first
Start aggressively, but give yourself five minutes or so of consistent hiking before you get into it. Once you have a good sweat worked up, and your heart is starting to pound, pull-over and start exercising. Without resting, continue on with your hike until you stop again for more reps.
Make a note of the exercises and take it with you
Under the enormous amounts of stress, pressure and fatigue you will experience during this challenge it is highly likely that your memory won't be as good as it usually is during day to day life. That is why we recommend taking a note of the exercises you need to perform which you are able to refer to at any time you lose your place.
Perform hill repeats
If you aren't fortunate enough to live in a hilly area in which to effortlessly bag yourself the elevation gain needed for the bonus points, we recommend finding the biggest points of elevation you have locally and perform hill repeats until you complete the challenge. We know this may sound boring but this is a mental test as much as it is a physical one.
Load-Bearing
Weight
Points
+5
10kg
+10
15kg
+15
20kg
+20
elevation Gain
Elevation
Points
Per 100ft (Max 1,500ft)
+1
Movement Variations
Movement
Points
+5
Burpees
+5
Wild Fire Furnace (Full)
Time
Points
1h 30m
1h 33m
1h 36m
1h 39m
32
1h 42m
31
1h 45m
30
1h 48m
29
1h 51m
28
1h 54m
27
1h 57m
26
2h 00m
25
2h 03m
24
2h 06m
23
2h 09m
22
2h 12m
21
2h 15m
20
2h 18m
19
2h 21m
18
2h 24m
17
2h 27m
16
2h 30m
15
2h 33m
14
2h 36m
13
2h 39m
12
2h 42m
11
2h 45m
10
2h 48m
9
2h 51m
8
2h 54m
7
2h 57m
6
3h 00m
5
4
3h 06m
3
3h 09m
2
3h 15m
1
Wild Fire Furnace (Half)
Time
Points
45m 00s
18
49m 20s
17
53m 40s
16
58m 00s
15
14
1h 6m 40s
13
1h 11m 00s
12
1h 15m 20s
11
1h 19m 40s
10
1h 24m 00s
9
1h 28m 20s
8
1h 32m 40s
7
1h 37m 00s
6
1h 41m 20s
5
4
1h 50m 00s
3
1h 54m 20s
2
2h 03m 00s
1
Before submitting, please make sure you have your evidence ready. Submit evidence for all of the challenges in the same challenge series by the deadline below to earn your Finishers Pip.
Found on your latest membership 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 the end of the series deadline detailed at the top of the page.
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.
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.