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When and Where
What
to expect at the Marine Buddy Challenge
Examples of Exercises
Scoring
Awards
Event Details
Each event
of the Semper Fi Racing Series simulates an aspect of
Marine Corps training. The Marine Buddy Challenge
is our version of the Physical Fitness Test – commonly known
as “The PFT” – which every Marine completes twice a year.
Their scores become a permanent part of their record and are
a factor in promotions. Participation in this event will
not make you eligible for any promotions, but it should make
you feel good on the inside where it really counts.
When and Where
January 26,
2008
Reedy Creek
Park
2900 Rocky
River Road,
Charlotte
NC
and simultaneously
in
Al-Taqaddum, Iraq
No race day
registration
Packet
pick-up begins at 0730 at Shelter 3.
(click here for park
map) Enter the park and proceed to “T” intersection. Turn
left to end of road at Shelter 3 parking lot. Volunteers
will direct later arrivals to overflow parking, from which
shuttle service to Shelter 3 will be provided.
Non-running
portions of this event will begin around 0830 with multiple
teams competing simultaneously. The three-mile run will
begin with staggered starts at approx 0930, or whenever all
teams clear the non-running stations – whichever comes
first.
Awards
ceremony will follow completion of all elements by all
teams.
What
to expect at the Marine Buddy Challenge
Entire
event will take place within the confines of Reedy Creek
Park
It will
be cold.
Marines
serve in every “clime and place,” so quit whining. We chose
this date hoping we’d have some cold weather – well, as cold
as it gets in Charlotte [hello, global warming]. Maybe
we’ll get lucky and have some freezing rain. As they say in
the Marines, “if it ain’t rainin’, we ain’t trainin’.”
Marines
will “motivate” you through most of the challenge elements.
Do not be alarmed – this is what they do
for a living - enthusiastically.”
Teams
consist of two persons
Marines use the buddy system – they help each other all
the time, whether they are cleaning the head or serving on a sniper team.
Teams
may consist of two males or two females or one of each.
We don’t care what gender you are – just finish the
challenges with enthusiasm.
Teams
will choose a team name and must be dressed uniformly.
Although packs need not match, it won’t hurt your
chances in the “Best Team Uniform” category, either
Teams
compete in the following categories
Neither age
nor gender matters in the Marine Corps; a Marine is a
Marine.
Corporate, Community, Pubic Safety (police, fire, EMS),
Military, College Students, and Youth (both teammates
under age18 on race day)
Exception: Spirit Runners. The Spirit Runner category
has been added to allow supporters around the world (or
those whose schedules do not permit, or those who
physically cannot participate) to still take part in the
Marine Buddy Challenge and support the cause. Spirit
Runners sign up individually, rather than as a team.
They will be assigned a bib number. Then, a volunteer
from one of the above six categories will carry the
Spirit Runner’s bib, in addition to his/her own, during
the race. Following the race, the Spirit Runner’s bib
and Buddy Challenge t-shirt will be mailed to them.
Spirit Runners are still eligible to compete in the
“Most Donations Raised” award category. See
registration form for details.
Team
members must stay together during all phases of the
challenge
(Marines never leave a fellow Marine behind)
Timed
sit-ups
Sit-ups are an element of the Marine PFT
(Click Here For
Detailed Instructions)
Points
awarded based upon the total number of sit-ups completed
by both teammates in two minutes. Each team member will
perform sit-ups for one minute while their teammate
holds their legs. Switch places; repeat.
Each
sit-up must be completed correctly, or it doesn’t
count; Marines will judge
Timed
push-ups
Push-ups
are also an element of Marine physical training, although
we’ve altered the format slightly.
(Click Here
For Detailed Instructions)
Points
awarded based upon the number of push-ups completed by
both teammates in two minutes. Each team member will
perform push-ups for one minute while their teammate
holds their legs. Switch places; repeat – just like
shampooing your hair, but not as much fun.
Each
push-up must be completed correctly, or it
doesn’t count; Marines will judge.
Buddy
Carry with Side-Straddle-Hops and POW's
None of these is a part of the Marine PFT,
but they substitute for pull-ups, which are part of
the Marine PFT. We didn’t feel like building dozens of
pull-up bars. The Buddy Carry simulates wounded Marine
extraction; the side-straddle-hops and cherry-pickers were
added just to irritate the participants.
(Click
Here For Detailed Instructions of Buddy Carry)
(Click Here For
Detailed Instructions of POW's)
One
teammate carries the other across his/her shoulders over
a distance of approximately 30 yards. Sixty point penalty (and some choice
words from your Buddy) for dropping your Buddy.
Teammates complete 25 side-straddle-hops
Otherwise known in the civilian world as “jumping jacks” in
unison, as quickly as they can.
Teammates complete 50 cherry-pickers in unison,
as quickly as they can. It’s harder and more annoying
than it looks.
Teammates complete 25 more side-straddle-hops
in unison, as quickly as they can.
One
teammate carries the other back to the starting position. may be the same arrangement, or teammates may switch
roles. Another sixty penalty points will be assessed if
you drop your Buddy again. Shame on you!
On/Off-Road 3-mile (give or take) run
with backpack containing 10% of the runner’s
weight.
Three-mile
run is an element of the Marine PFT; back pack poorly
simulates the weight Marines regularly carry; we didn’t
think any mere mortal could run three miles carrying 70
pounds.
Participants are responsible for providing their own
backpack
Participants and packs will be weighed at check-in, and
packs will be sealed with impenetrable police tape to
ensure participants start and stop with the same weight
in the pack.
If your
pack is underweight, we will help you get it up to the
correct weight, plus a few extra pounds for good
measure.
Scoring
Winners
determined by the lowest cumulative score
Sit-ups
and push-ups: Team begins with a score of 500;
each successfully completed sit-up/push-up deducts 5 points
from the 500, resulting in the team’s score for this
portion
Buddy-Carry: Stop watch time; Marines will judge.
Every second is a point.
Three-Mile Run: Champion Chip scoring. Time, in
seconds, translates to your score (e.g., 30 minutes 9
seconds becomes 1809 points; 17 minutes 47 seconds
becomes 1067 points – but no one will finish that
quickly)
Points
from the four categories will be added together for the
final team score.
Awards
Awards
will be presented as follows:
First,
second and third place medals in each competitor category.
Places determined by lowest total accumulated
point scores.
We're working
on added goodies for second and third place finishers.
First,
second and third place medals for overall winners.
Additionally, first place finishers in this
category will receive certificates for new running shoes
from Charlotte Running Company.
First,
second and third place medals in the “Most Donations Raised”
category.
Spirit
Runners are also eligible for this award. See Registration
Form for details.
First,
second and third place medals in “Best Team Uniform”
category.
Criteria
murky and completely subjective. However, humor and
creativity won’t hurt your chances.
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