UNAIDS employee Peter Koopmans will attempt to break the world record for the number of Murphs on World AIDS Day, 1 December, while fundraising for an HIV charity.

Named after a United States Navy officer killed in Afghanistan in 2005, the workout was one of Michael Murphy’s favorites. Originally called a Body Armor, a Murph consists of wearing a 10-kilo vest while:

• Running for one mile (1.6 km).
• Doing 100 pull-ups.
• Doing 200 push-ups.
• Doing 300 squats.
• Running for another mile.

Mr Koopmans will attempt to do 15 Murphs over a 24-hour period at UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Fifteen Murphs will see him run 30 miles and do 1500 pull-ups, 3000 push-ups and 4500 squats. He has been training for the record attempt for the past eight months, logging countless hours in the gym.

“I have always wanted to try this challenge, and this allows me to have a direct impact on the lives of others,” Mr Koopmans said. Staff and friends will cheer him on throughout, and some will even attempt to do Murphs with him.

All funds raised will go to Operation Bobbi Bear, a human rights organization committed to helping sexually abused children, and raising awareness about HIV, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

You can donate and/or follow Mr Koopmans as he accomplishes this amazing feat on this website, while this video gives a brief overview of the challenge.