Warrior Challenge Takes Avon By Storm

“Pain is temporary, but regret is forever,” Dennis reminded competitors as they prepared at the starting line of the Third Annual Warrior Challenge in Avon on Saturday.

Participants varied in age and fitness level, but all shared the motivation to take on a true physical challenge and the desire to support the men and women serving our country.

Over 200 athletes gathered on the beach for the physical competition which benefits families of soldiers who have been wounded in the line of duty through the Silent Warrior Fund.

All proceeds from the competition, including T shirt sales, raffle tickets and entry fees, go directly to the Fund.

The Warrior Challenge was created by Dennis, a member of the Army Special Forces who chooses to be called by his first name for security purposes, and Co-Owners of Avon's The Training Room, Jim Milkowski and Mike Stehle.

PHOTO GALLERY: Warrior Challenge

The Silent Warrior Fund was started by the organizers of the event.

This year the fund will support a group called The Task Force Dagger Foundation, a federally recognized non-profit which provides aid and services to United States Army Special Operations Command soldiers and their families.

Saturday’s Warrior Challenge consisted of four separate events, all of which simulated traditional training for the United States Special Operations forces.

The competitors’ first task was a mile run in the sand carrying a 40-pound sandbag.

“The run was excellent,” said competitor Joan Leather, who stays fit at the Training Room. “The greatest is when you feel like you don’t have anything left, but then you hear the cheers from the crowd and you just do it.”

Next was a pull-up contest, in which athletes had to begin from a complete hang. Judges enforced proper form by disqualifying imperfect pull ups.

Warrior contestants were then challenged to complete as many burpees as possible in two minutes. A burpee is a combination of a squat thrust, pushup and jump, and tests an athlete’s aerobic and muscular strength.

This year, event coordinators introduced a surprise fourth event which was kept under tight wraps until seconds before.

Competitors were told to carry a sandbag into the ocean so it would absorb water and become significantly heavier.

The Warriors then held the bags over their heads for as long as they could, and dropping the bags below head-level resulted in disqualification.

After 17 minutes, the last three contestants standing were women.

When the physical challenges ended, two military jets streaked the sky and an Army Black Hawk helicopter descended on the Avon beach.

Spectators watched a Special Forces combat demonstration and had the opportunity to tour the chopper.

All branches of the military were represented at the event.

The morning wrapped up with a silent auction and raffle.

Cash prizes, a GPS system and wristwatches salvaged from the World Trade Center attacks were among the items given away.

After much deliberation and calculation, five Warrior competitors were awarded prizes for their performances.

Top prizes for male and female over 40 went to Mike and Kelly Mullroy, both of whom train at the Training Room.

Ryan Lash and Leigh Vachman won overall for male and female Warrior, respectively.

The Warrior Spirit Award went to Bubba Berrington.

The Third Annual Warrior Challenge was sponsored by MSA Paraclete, Costa Del Mar, Streamlight, LWRC International, The Training Room and Tri-County Tactical.

Event staffers were thrilled with the turnout of athletes and spectators. The event has grown exponentially since its foundation.

“All of these athletes worked so hard and were awesome today,” Dennis said. “It’s a beautiful day to be an American.”

PHOTO GALLERY: Warrior Challenge