Great American Fitness Challenge Coming to Campus June 3

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 10, 2017) — Choose your Challenge. The concept is simple. No matter age or fitness level, the third annual Great American Fitness Challenge (GAFC) has something for everyone. The GAFC will be held on the University of Kentucky campus June 3.

Participants can choose their challenge and test themselves against the Physical Standards Test (PST) of two of American’s elite military forces—the Navy SEALs and the Army Rangers. However, there will also be a GAFC UK5K that will direct runners through the heart of the of UK campus and its unmatched beauty.

The GAFC focuses on the importance of integrating physical fitness—of any type and any level—into everyone’s daily lives. It’s not about where you finish, it’s starting that’s important.

“The Challenge was created to bring attention to physical fitness and offer new ways to test fitness levels by conquering new challenges,” Brainbox Intelligent Marketing President Rick Ford said. "We have worked extensively in the fitness community for more than a decade and wanted to build something here in Lexington that adds new opportunities and encourages a healthy lifestyle.”

The GAFC Sea and Land Challenges feature exercises to test strength and endurance while providing a fitness score for participants to measure their fitness levels to America’s elite forces. The Sea Challenge involves a swim in the Lancaster Center pool followed by field body weight exercises and a 1.5 mile timed run around Pieratt Field. The Land Challenge has no pool time but provides additional ground to cover with the very special weighted-vest 3.1 mile run. On hand to “encourage” participants will be former Special Operations personnel to serve as mentors for the day.

"The Great American Fitness Challenge coming to UK is a great opportunity for the Lexington and UK communities to take part in a top notch fitness event in our own backyard. This event is a great option for our community to have fun and challenge themselves with physical fitness. Campus Recreation and Wellness is excited about supporting this opportunity to promote physical fitness in our community," said Casey Gilvin, UK Campus Recreation and Wellness fitness director.

UK students and employees may enter the code "UKSAVE" at registration to receive $5 off the 5K and $10 off the Sea or Land Challenge.

For more information and to register, go to www.GAFitnessChallenge.com.