News

The Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge takes place Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Physical Education Building, 839 W. Roosevelt, Chicago. The Challenge is free
and open to anyone age 13 or older, city or suburb, male or female. It
consists of five fitness events: a 500-yard swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups
and a 1.5 mile run.

Taking place to promote fitness and to heighten awareness of the epidemic
of obesity, the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge offers a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to compare personal fitness levels with those of the elite Navy
SEALs.

"The Navy SEALs are highly respected and admired for their vital role in
national defense," said Dr. Terry Mason, commissioner, Chicago Department of
Public Health. "That they would choose Chicago for this initiative speaks well
of our City. It gives us an opportunity to showcase the many talented and fit
individuals who live in our great City, and it challenges the rest of us to
step it up a notch."

"This Challenge is a means to encourage citizens of Chicago and its
suburbs to improve fitness and to utilize our SEAL standard as a way to
measure their own level of fitness," said Duncan Smith, Captain, Navy SEAL.

Chicago is the fifth stop of the national tour of The Navy SEAL Fitness
Challenge. The inaugural Challenge kicked off more than a year ago in Boston.
Since then, the Challenge has taken place in San Antonio, Los Angeles and
Dearborn.

"Let's show 'em what Chicago is made of," said Corey Garner, director of
the Chicago Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge. "We're hoping for an unprecedented
number of competitors -- of all fitness levels -- to rise to the challenge."

Individuals are welcome as are groups such as family members, neighbors,
running clubs, classmates, members of a football team, fitness clubs or
someone looking for inspiration to begin a program of better physical fitness.
Anyone who participates is welcome to invite an unlimited number of cheering
spectators. Encouragement is very helpful to each participant.

In addition to watching the exciting events, spectators will have the
extraordinary opportunity to meet and talk with the elite Navy SEALS.

"The Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge is open to people at all levels," said
Colleen Lammel-Harmon, RD, LDN, executive director of the Mayor's Fitness
Council. "Ultimately, we hope this challenge will serve as motivation to
strive for better fitness."

Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge competitors will be scored and ranked against
each other, with all participants receiving a dog tag and a complimentary
commemorative white T-shirt with the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge logo. Earning
a tan T-shirt means the competitor met SEAL standards, and a blue (Navy blue,
of course) T-shirt means the participant has met Navy SEAL competitive
standards which indicate a superb athlete.

There are a limited number of time slots available. All participants under
the age of 18 are required to provide parental or guardian consent. Again, the
Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge is free! For more information and to pre-register,
visit: http://www.SealFitnessChallenge.com.

Press contact: Ginny Richardson, GR-PR