A Record-Breaking Feat in the Murph Challenge 2020

Elite CrossFitter and obstacle course racer Hunter McIntyre made history at The Murph Challenge 2020 by setting a new world record. His final time of 34:13 put him ahead of some of the biggest names in the CrossFit world, including Björgvin Karl Guðmundsson (38:40, unpartitioned), Mat Fraser (35:48, partitioned), and Josh Bridges (34.88, partitioned).

What Is the Murph Challenge?

For those unfamiliar, the Murph Challenge is one of the most grueling CrossFit workouts. It consists of:

  • A 1-mile run
  • 100 pull-ups
  • 200 push-ups
  • 300 air squats
  • Another 1-mile run

All of this is done while wearing a 20-pound weighted vest. The workout is named after Lt. Michael Murphy, a Navy SEAL who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2005. The annual Murph Challenge, which takes place on Memorial Day, raises money for the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

McIntyre’s Goal: Beat The 30-Minute Mark

Despite breaking the record, McIntyre wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to complete Murph in under 30 minutes.

“During the squats, I knew something was up. I even had to walk for a second on that last run, which I have never done in training. I am standing in front of you, a humble man. I shot for the stars, and I missed.” – Hunter McIntyre

Controversy and Criticism

McIntyre’s record-setting attempt was streamed live on Obstacle Racing Media, but not without some controversy. Spectators pointed out a missed push-up during the first 20 reps.

Another issue was the involvement of Ryan Kempson, a friend of McIntyre who worked out alongside him. Although Kempson finished first, no judge was assigned to verify his reps, leading to criticism.

McIntyre’s Response to the Critics

In a later interview, McIntyre responded to the backlash:

“I don’t care that you didn’t like Kempson’s reps. This wasn’t heart surgery. We are just athletes having a good time. This was an event to lift morale in a tough time for the fitness community and give back to something bigger than me.”

He also had a message for his critics:

“Anybody who thinks I’m a world-class cheater or that Kempson just did this for attention, go get a life. Go do something on your own and feel what it’s like to be under a microscope for once.”

A Historic Moment for the CrossFit Community

Despite the controversy, McIntyre’s achievement remains a monumental moment in CrossFit history. His performance has set a new benchmark for future athletes attempting Murph. While he may not have hit his sub-30-minute goal, his time of 34:13 still stands as a remarkable feat of endurance, strength, and perseverance.