Dozen gathered at Zone Health & Fitness Monday morning to do the “Murph” workout set to pay tribute to America’s fallen service members with sweat equity.About 75 participants gathered to warm up around 9 a.m. before starting the workout set named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Navy Lt. Michael Murphy, who was killed in action in 2005.The set includes a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats and another mile run, according to The Murph's Challenge.com, the site for the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation.Zone Health & Fitness owner Ben Marciano said the eighth annual event at the South Pine Avenue location is a “tribute to fallen soldiers” and to remember they sacrificed their lives.

Nikki Bruno, a coach at Zone Health & Fitness, briefed the participants before the workout began. She said men could wear a 20 pound vest and women a 14 pound vest to replicate the weight of gear worn by troops.

More: Cole to the rescue: Boy, 10, helps with lift, gets friend's wheelchair onto school bus

More: Cole to the rescue: Boy, 10, helps with lift, gets friend's wheelchair onto school bus

The 1-hour workout is named in honor of Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipient, Michael Murphy.Murphy, 29, was a native of New York and a Penn State graduate who had been accepted to law school but chose SEAL training instead.Murphy was killed in action in Asadabad, Afghanistan, after the location of his four man SEAL team was revealed, possibly by a goat herder, and a firefight with  a “much larger” Taliban force broke out.Murphy fought to get to an open area to radio for help for his team.

“In the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call,” the citation for the Medal of Honor signed by President George W. Bush stated.

“Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded.

“In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom,” the citation continued.

SEAL team members Danny Dietz and Matthew Axelson also died in the firefight. Team member Marcus Luttrell was blown over a restaurant due to an explosion and eventually rescued from a village in enemy territory.

Those in attendance

All participants managed to complete the challenge. Some, who participate every year, tried to shave off time from the previous year's workout.

Tracie Bracie is taking over as acting Zone Health & Fitness owner and operator while Marciano launches a bid for Ocala mayor. Bracie’s son, Gregory Mosley, 27, is serving in the Navy.Felix Harris, 50, who served in the Marine Corps from 1997 to 2011, which included a 2003 deployment to Iraq, said he will be thinking of his comrades as he does the workout set.

Social worker Davieoyn Hopson, who planned to do the Murph workout on Monday,  said he brings a group of 22 residents from Open Arms Village, a program for homeless men, to Zone Health & Fitness for exercise sessions for wellness benefits.

Johanne Diaz, 25, a graphic designer, and Luis Kelly,42, also took up the challenge Monday,“The sacrifice (the fallen service members made) was way bigger than this,” Kelly said.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County residents workout to honor Michael Murphy on Memorial Day