Huge crowd turns out for 2010 Bulldog Challenge

The biggest crowd ever turned out Saturday for the 2010 Citadel Bulldog Challenge, a six-mile endurance race and one of the Lowcountry's premier fitness events and fundraisers. 

The firefighter's carry is one of several challenge stations that make up The Citadel Bulldog Challenge, a six-mile endurance race that is organized annually by the Navy ROTC unit at The Citadel and the campus Semper Fi Society. The race attracts military and civilian teams from across the country to compete.

Col. Paul. B. Dunahoe, commanding officer of the Navy ROTC unit at The Citadel, said 138 teams of four people each took part in the race, which started an hour later than expected due to the great turnout of more than 550 competitors.

The overall winner is Team Old Dominion from the Hampton Roads NROTC Consortium. The top military/ROTC team was "The Yankees," a group of midshipman and active duty Marines from The Citadel.

Teams received trophies and a variety of adventure gear, backpacks, camelbaks, sunglasses and athletic wear donated by business sponsors.  

Complete race results.

Organized by the campus Navy ROTC unit's Semper Fidelis Society, the Bulldog Challenge attracts military and civilian teams from colleges, universities, law enforcement and the general public from around the nation.

The Bulldog Challenge endurance course is designed to test the physical and mental toughness of the competing teams. Among the challenges are the Marine obstacle course, a stadium climb, firefighters’ carry, tire flip, mud crawl and pull-ups. Each team must run the course while carrying three 20- to 30-pound sandbags.

This year marks the 14th year for the event, which was held Saturday, March 13 on The Citadel campus.

Marine Capt. Warren A. Frank Photo provided by NROTC The Citadel.

Capt. Shawn Rickrode, faculty advisor to the Semper Fi Society, said Marines feel a duty to serve in combat and at home. The NROTC unit at The Citadel and the Semper Fi Society are dedicated to their mission of educating and professionally developing young men and women for Marine Corps service and leadership.

“The Bulldog Challenge is one of the most challenging races most people will ever attempt,” Rickrode said. “This race allows us to do our part for those we cannot fight beside in Iraq and Afghanistan and to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice with scholarship and leadership funds in their names.” 

Previous events have raised nearly $50,000 for scholarships. This year's proceeds, which are still being tallied, will go to a scholarship in honor of Marine Capt. Warren A. Frank, Citadel Class of 2004. Frank was killed in Iraq in November 2008 while delivering humanitarian aid. He is one of 15 Citadel graduates to have died in the line of duty since the war began.

This year’s sponsors include USAA, TrySports, Extreme Outfitters, Bobby Hartin’s, Force Protection, Hammer Nutrition, Piggly Wiggly, Best Buy, Charleston Cotton Exchange, RKO, Sticky Fingers, Wild Wing Cafe, Hooters and Krispy Kreme.